By Peter Omopo
Lagos, August 9, 2025 — Aviation workers under the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have suspended their planned indefinite strike, citing significant progress in negotiations over improved remuneration.
The coalition of aviation unions had earlier directed NAMA staff to halt services from Monday, August 11, following stalled talks on better pay. However, in a joint statement on Friday, union leaders announced that the industrial action had been deferred after fresh commitments from the agency and government officials.
According to the statement signed by AbdulRasaq Saidu, Secretary General of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals; Odinaka Igbokwe, Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees; Frances Akinjole, Principal Deputy General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria; and Alo Lawrence, General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, the decision was made “in good faith” to allow the process to conclude.
The unions said key developments included the Budget Office’s issuance of a “no objection” letter to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission and assurances from NAMA’s management that new pay rates would be implemented alongside August salaries.
They credited the breakthrough to interventions by the Minister of Aviation and senior ministry officials, as well as the “hard work” of NAMA’s management.
“Based on these developments, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action scheduled to commence on Monday, August 11, pending the state of affairs at the end of August 2025,” the statement read.
The unions urged all NAMA staff to “keep a hopeful watch” as the situation unfolds, warning that industrial action could still proceed if the commitments are not fulfilled.
