After several years of delay and sustained agitation, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially approved the payment of pensions to retired aviation workers, including former staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
The highly anticipated announcement recently came via a press statement shared by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The Ministry of Aviation confirmed that payments will be processed very soon, stressing that it remains committed to transparency and accountability throughout the disbursement process.
“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,” it read.
The announcement is amazing news for more than 6,000 former aviation workers, many of whom are yet to receive complete pensions and gratuities since Nigeria Airways stopped operating 23 years ago.
Nigeria Airways, once Nigeria’s national carrier, operated from 1958 until 2003, before it was shut down due to corruption, weak management, and excessive debts.
While Nigeria Airways was at its peak, lots of engineers, pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff were employed to serve as the pillar of the country’s aviation sector.
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Since the airline ceased operations, several unions have kept demanding justice for the retired workers.
7 years ago, aviation unions including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) threatened to close down Nigerian airspace if the government failed to release N45 billion in entitlements.
Even though ex-President Muhammadu Buhari approved N22 billion in 2018 for partial settlement, union records show that N36 billion remained unpaid, which has left lots of retirees in poverty, with many of them losing their lives while awaiting compensation.
Early this year, January 2025 to be precise, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation threatened to block the Ministry’s budget until outstanding entitlements are completely settled.
The committee’s effort, in addition to the continuous union advocacy and civil society support, has finally led to the long-awaited breakthrough in July 2025.
The Ministry of Aviation has since announced that disbursement will start immediately, emphasising that the process will be transparent and stakeholders will be properly informed throughout.
