
23/07/2025
“At Last, Justice for Nigeria Airways Pensioners” — FG Approves Long-Awaited Payout After 20-Year Wait
The Federal Government is set to commence the disbursement of pensions to retired workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, marking a significant milestone after over two decades of agitation and delayed entitlements.
In a statement posted on Tuesday by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on its official X account, the agency announced that the Ministry of Aviation had confirmed the approval and upcoming disbursement of the pensions.
The ministry also pledged transparency and fairness in handling the payments. “The Federal Government has approved the long-awaited pensions for retired aviation workers, bringing long-overdue relief to thousands who served in the sector".
This decision follows years of advocacy by unions pushing for justice for retirees, especially from defunct national carriers,” the statement read. It added, “The Ministry of Aviation confirmed that the payments will be processed soon, with a commitment to transparency.”
The development comes more than 20 years after the collapse of Nigeria Airways, which operated from 1958 until it was shut down in 2003 due to mismanagement, corruption, and mounting debts. Over 6,000 employees were affected by the closure, many of whom have lived without receiving their full pensions and gratuities.
Aviation stakeholders have welcomed the announcement, describing it as a long-overdue action that could restore dignity to the retired workforce.
The statement noted that “stakeholders have welcomed the development,” with many viewing it as a step toward rebuilding trust in the aviation sector.
Union pressure played a crucial role in the renewed attention to the issue. In 2018, aviation unions such as the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) threatened to shut down airspace over unpaid benefits.
That same year, then-President Muhammadu Buhari approved ₦22 billion for partial settlement of entitlements. However, union figures indicated that ₦36 billion remained outstanding.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation warned that it would block the Ministry of Aviation’s budget unless provisions were made for settling the outstanding pensions of former Nigeria Airways staff.