NiMet workers begin indefinite strike over pay conditions

Workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have embarked on an indefinite strike, citing poor wages and the non-implementation of their Conditions of Service (CoS) as key reasons for the industrial action.

The strike, announced jointly by aviation unions, is expected to disrupt weather observation and reporting services crucial to flight operations across the country.

NiMet plays a critical role in aviation safety, providing real-time weather information, meteorological briefings, and forecasts for airlines, pilots, airports, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs).

It would be recalled that the aviation unions embarked on strike in April, disrupting NIMET’s activities and flight operations across the country.

READ ALSO: NiMet forecasts 3 days of sunshine, hazy conditions nationwide

The strike was later suspended after the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

However, the workers are set to resume the strike on Thursday with some professional bodies, including Air Traffic Controllers and sister unions threatening to join the strike.

A Notice to All NiMet Workers dated October 17, 2025, and titled ‘Non-Implementation of Agreement – Withdrawal of Services,’ seen by our correspondent indicated that the strike was declared following several appeals to the management without positive outcomes.

The notice was jointly signed by Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe, General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Comrade Alo Lawrence of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); and Comrade Abdulrazaq Saidu of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

The letter read in part: “Considering the extremely poor remuneration of NiMet workers compared to their counterparts in other aviation agencies, we are compelled to heed the cries of the workers for relief.

“This decision was taken at the joint congress of workers held with the national secretaries of the unions on October 16, 2025, in Abuja. Accordingly, all NiMet workers are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective Thursday, October 23, 2025, unless otherwise directed by the unions following an amicable resolution of the issues.”