Flight disruptions loom as NiMet workers begin indefinite nationwide strike

Nigeria’s aviation sector is bracing for turbulence as workers of the Nigerian Meteorology Agency (NiMet) are set to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike starting Wednesday, potentially grounding flight operations across the country.

The industrial action is backed by major aviation unions — the Union of Air Transport Employees (UATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical, and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

According to the unions, the strike follows NiMet management’s failure to honour agreements reached to address longstanding issues, particularly relating to remuneration and staff welfare.

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They pointed out that a partial agreement made on January 28, 2025, has yet to be implemented, triggering widespread discontent among workers.

“You are equally aware that the agreement between the management and our unions since 28th January 2025 towards partial amelioration of the above-stated condition has been honoured largely only in the breach.

“As a requirement, all flight operations need to get NiMet clearance for favourable weather before taking off from the airports.

“As you are all aware, our unions have strived strenuously over the past few years to alleviate the exceedingly unjust remunerations conundrum that has visited extreme poverty and consequent untold hardship on NiMet workers. These efforts have been largely without substantial results,” the letter added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, and Tunde Moshood, the spokesperson of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, have yet to react to the development as of the time of filing this report.

However, speaking on the development, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, emphasised that it was the standard operational procedure for airlines to get weather reports for aircraft to either land or take off. He, however, could not confirm if there would be flight operations on Wednesday or not.

“It is a standard operational procedure that if there is no weather report, there is no way an aircraft can either land at an airport or take off, but I cannot confirm if there will be flight operations tomorrow or not; I can not answer that question”, he stated.

Air transport passengers at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Murtala Muhammed Airport are already jittery about what their fate will be in the coming days.

“My flight is billed for tomorrow (Wednesday); the government intervene to avert a likely disruption,” Ireti Idowu stated.

Another passenger, Isaiah Manuel, billed for a trip from Abuja to Lagos State, also expressed fears of a possible disruption to the flight.