In a long-anticipated move, the Federal Government has authorized the distribution of pensions to retired aviation workers, offering relief to thousands of former employees who have endured over two decades waiting for their entitlements.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) announced this on Tuesday via its official X account, previously known as Twitter.
The Ministry of Aviation, as reported by the NOA, has confirmed that payment arrangements have already begun and assured that the process will be conducted with transparency, fairness, and accountability.
The federal government has authorized the long-anticipated pensions for retired aviation workers, providing much-needed relief to thousands who served in the industry.
The statement mentioned that this decision comes after years of unions advocating for justice for retirees, particularly those from former national carriers.
The approval also encompasses compensation for former employees of Nigeria Airways, which was closed in 2003 as a result of mismanagement, corruption, and substantial debt.
Founded in 1958, the airline was entirely owned by the federal government.
Its shutdown resulted in more than 6,000 employees being deprived of their full pensions and gratuities, leading to years of protests and appeals.
Stakeholders have broadly embraced the development, seeing it as a crucial step in restoring the dignity of retired aviation workers and rebuilding trust in the 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 overdue entitlements.
Although then-President Muhammadu Buhari authorized ₦22 billion for partial payment, the unions insisted that ₦36 billion was still outstanding.
The unions also voiced their frustration over the numerous retirees who had passed away while awaiting their benefits, criticizing the prolonged delay in receiving payments.
In January 2025, the National Assembly's Joint Committee on Aviation warned that it would obstruct the Ministry of Aviation’s budget unless measures were taken to settle the outstanding entitlements of retirees.
With this new approval, the government has addressed years of persistent demands for justice from the aviation sector, pledging much-needed relief for thousands of retired workers.
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