The planned strike by aviation unions, set to begin on Monday, has been suspended following effective negotiations led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. In a statement on his official social media account, Keyamo expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are happy to announce that, after our intervention, the planned strike has been shelved.”
The unions involved, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, had initially issued a notice to withdraw services due to unresolved issues regarding staff remuneration. In their joint statement, the unions acknowledged that positive developments led to the decision to defer the strike.
Keyamo credited his longstanding relationships with labor leaders for facilitating the breakthrough. He emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and ongoing efforts to address long-standing issues within the aviation sector.
The unions highlighted recent progress, including the release of a “no objection” letter from the Budget Office, which is critical for implementing the new salary structure. They urged members to remain engaged and optimistic as they monitor developments in the coming weeks.
The potential strike threatened to disrupt air navigation services nationwide, affecting both domestic and international flights. However, the swift intervention by Keyamo and senior officials from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has averted the crisis for now.
