A coalition of aviation unions has asked all workers of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to suspend services indefinitely beginning Monday, August 11, 2025, due to unsolved difficulties.
On August 7, four main unions representing aviation professionals published a combined notification announcing the decision.
The directive was conveyed in a statement signed on Thursday by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical, and Recreational Services Employees.
In a joint letter dated July 31, 2025, the unions issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the prolonged delay in implementing a new salary structure for workers under the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. https://punchng.com/unions-warn-of-aviation-sector-shutdown-over-salary-dispute/
They threatened to remove NAMA workers’ services if the matter was not handled, which may shut down operations in the country’s aviation sector.
They were also frustrated that, despite closing discussions with the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency over eight months ago, agreed-upon salary changes were yet to be applied.
The unions reminded the minister that the ultimatum would expire on Thursday, August 7, 2025, and urged all aviation industry stakeholders to brace for service disruptions.
They also urged all NAMA employees to strictly comply with the directive.
“As you are all aware, the notice of withdrawal of services given on 30th July, 2025, expires at the end of today.
“Therefore, all workers of NAMA are hereby directed to stop all services with effect from Monday, 11th August, 2025, at 05:00 indefinitely.
“All airlines and allied companies, as well as the flying public, are hereby informed of the above-stated action and advised to make alternative travel arrangements,” the statement read.
The statement was signed by ANAP Secretary General AbdulRasaq Saidu, NUATE Deputy General Secretary Odinakachukwu J. Igbokwe, ATSSSAN Principal Deputy General Secretary Frances Akinjole, and AUPCTRE General Secretary Alo Lawrence O.
The unions also forwarded the warning to top aviation officials, including Keyamo, the managing directors of NAMA and FAAN, the commissioner of police (airport command), the directors of state security (all airports), and Nigeria’s airline operators.
“All staff shall comply with this directive, and only joint communication from the national secretariats of the above-named unions shall be heeded with regard to further directives on this matter,” the unions declared.
