As part of efforts to resolve industrial disputes in the aviation sector, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to grant unions direct access to airline workers.
This follows the recent face-off between aviation unions and some airlines in the country, which led to a temporary disruption of activities at some airports on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Consequently, Keyamo convened a meeting with all the airlines, the unions and the heads of aviation agencies on Thursday, August 13, 2026, aimed at resolving the outstanding issues and fostering greater understanding, cooperation and progress within the Nigerian aviation sector.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari, disclosed the directive in a statement issued after the meeting, which contained, among other resolutions, the directive.
According to the statement, the NCAA and other heads of aviation agencies are to obtain schedules of payments from the airlines, spread over a reasonable timeframe, taking into account the airlines’ cost of operation and current economic realities.
The Directors of Finance and Accounts in all aviation agencies are to meet with individual airlines to agree on realistic repayment plans within one week.
Kambari noted that Keyamo recognised workers’ right to decide whether or not to belong to unions and their right to make such decisions for themselves, rather than having the decision made by management.
“As a result, the NCAA should immediately ensure that the unions have direct access to the workers of ALL AIRLINES only to distribute their forms for the workers to directly indicate whether they intend to unionise or not,” the statement said.
The Minister warned that any airline that prevents this direct interface will be sanctioned by the NCAA.
The statement also affirmed that the parties resolved that another meeting would be convened after one month to review the progress made and the state of the current situation. It added that the resolutions were the collective decisions of all parties.
Keyamo assured all stakeholders of a safe and viable aviation sector, while reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, peaceful and sustainable aviation industry.
