FG Approves Pensions for Retired Aviation Workers After 22 Years

Federal Government has approved long-awaited pensions for retired aviation workers—ending over two decades of uncertainty and hardship for thousands who served in the industry.

In a statement shared Tuesday by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) via its official X account, the Agency confirmed that the Ministry of Aviation will begin disbursement soon, pledging fairness and transparency throughout the 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.

The Ministry of Aviation confirmed that the payments will be processed soon, with a commitment to transparency,” the statement read in part.

The payment approval includes former staff of the now-defunct Nigeria Airways, which ceased operations in 2003 after years of mismanagement, corruption, and ballooning debts. More than 6,000 workers were left without their full pensions and gratuities, sparking nearly 22 years of agitation for justice.

Persistent demands from aviation unions helped keep the issue in focus. In 2018, 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 shut down Nigerian airspace over N45 billion in unpaid entitlements.

The same year, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved ₦22 billion for partial payment, but union records showed ₦36 billion remained unpaid—leaving many retirees in financial distress. Several reportedly died while waiting for their benefits.

In January 2025, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation also threatened to block the Ministry’s budget unless adequate provisions were made for the pension payments.

Stakeholders have welcomed the government’s move, calling it a long-overdue step toward restoring trust and dignity in Nigeria’s aviation sector.