Normalcy is slowly returning to Nigeria’s aviation sector following the conclusion of a nationwide strike by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which had caused major disruptions to flight schedules.
The strike was prompted by the workers’ dissatisfaction with their conditions of service, including issues such as the non-payment of the revised national minimum wage, exclusion from arrears, and inadequate access to essential training programs.
The strike had significant impacts on flight operations, with airlines like Air Peace halting services, while others, such as Ibom Air and XEJET, operated with limited schedules.
The walkout followed repeated warnings from the unions to NiMet’s management about unmet promises concerning staff welfare.
The industrial action came to an end after a meeting in Abuja, which included the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, along with the Director General of NiMet, representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and leaders from aviation unions such as the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals.
With the strike now called off, NiMet staff have returned to their duties, bringing relief to the aviation sector and travelers across the nation.
