Nigeria’s aviation unions have suspended their planned strike following last-minute negotiations with the Federal Government, averting a potential shutdown of the country’s airspace.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations (AUPCTRE) had earlier issued a notice to commence an indefinite strike on Monday, August 11, 2025, over unresolved salary disputes.
In a joint letter obtained by Spear News, the unions announced the suspension of the industrial action, citing progress in negotiations with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
The decision followed the release of a critical ‘No Objection’ letter from the Budget Office to the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on August 7, 2025, which paved the way for the approval of a new remuneration package.
NAMA management also assured workers that the revised salaries would be paid alongside August wages, prompting the unions to step back from their strike threat.
The unions, however, cautioned that the suspension was conditional and hinged on the government fulfilling its commitments by the end of August. “In order to demonstrate good faith, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action pending the state of affairs at the end of August,” the letter stated.
The letter was jointly signed by Comrade AbdulRasak Saidu of ANAP, Comrade Odinaka J. Igbokwe of NUATE, Comrade Frances Akinjole of ATSSSAN, and Comrade Alo Lawrence O. of AUPCTRE.
The planned strike had raised fears of widespread flight disruptions across Nigerian airports, but the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, along with senior ministry officials, helped broker a temporary resolution.
Copies of the suspension notice were also sent to the Managing Directors of NAMA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Commissioner of Police for the Airports Command, the State Security Service (SSS) officials at all airports, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
While the immediate crisis has been averted, aviation workers remain watchful, with the unions making it clear that industrial action could resume if the government fails to implement the agreed salary adjustments.
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