In a long-anticipated move, the Federal Government has authorized the release of pension funds to retired aviation workers, providing relief to thousands of former employees who have been waiting more than twenty years for their entitlements.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) announced this on Tuesday via their official X handle, previously known as Twitter.
The NOA reported that the Ministry of Aviation has confirmed payment arrangements are underway and assured that the process will be conducted with transparency, fairness, and accountability.
The federal government has authorized the much-anticipated pensions for retired aviation workers, providing overdue relief to thousands who served in the industry.
The statement noted that this decision comes after years of union advocacy seeking justice for retirees, particularly those from now-defunct national carriers.
The approval also encompasses compensation for former employees of Nigeria Airways, which ceased operations in 2003 as a result of mismanagement, corruption, and significant debt.
The airline, in operation since 1958, was entirely owned by the federal government.
The closure resulted in more than 6,000 employees being deprived of their complete pensions and gratuities, leading to years of protests and appeals.
Stakeholders have widely welcomed the development, considering it a major step forward in restoring the dignity of retired aviation workers and rebuilding trust within the aviation industry.
In 2018, aviation unions including 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 close Nigerian airspace as a protest against the government's failure to pay ₦45 billion in pending entitlements.
Although then-President Muhammadu Buhari approved ₦22 billion for partial payment, the unions asserted that ₦36 billion still remained unpaid.
The unions voiced their frustration over the prolonged delay in payments, condemning how numerous retirees had passed away before receiving their benefits.
In January 2025, the National Assembly's Joint Committee on Aviation warned that they would obstruct the Ministry of Aviation’s budget unless measures were taken to resolve the pending entitlements for retirees.
With this new approval, the government has addressed years of persistent demands for justice from the aviation sector, offering long-awaited relief to thousands of retired workers.
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