Nigeria Airways ex-workers and pensioners have issued an urgent appeal over what they described as a prolonged and painful delay in the release of their approved severance benefits, warning that continued inaction is worsening hardship and costing lives.
The former employees of Nigeria Airways said they have endured more than two decades of neglect since the airline was liquidated in 2004. Once a national symbol with staff drawn from across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, the airline’s workforce now faces what they call abandonment despite years of dedicated service.
Speaking on behalf of the group, thousands of ex-workers—many now aged 65 and above remain without full payment of their entitlements, living in deprivation and uncertainty. He said the situation has left many unable to meet basic needs, including food, shelter, and healthcare.
Hope had been revived in June 2025 when President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of N36 billion to settle outstanding severance benefits. The approval was widely seen as a long-awaited breakthrough that would bring relief to the aging beneficiaries.
However, several months after the approval, the funds have yet to be released. The ex-workers expressed concern that the delay, reportedly within the purview of the Ministry of Finance led by Wale Edun, has continued to prolong their suffering.
Kyari described the situation as a humanitarian crisis, noting that many former staff including pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and administrative personnel are battling illness and poverty. Some, they said, have died while waiting for their entitlements.
He questioned why a presidentially approved payment remains stalled, arguing that the issue has moved beyond bureaucracy to one of urgent national concern.
“These are not handouts but lawful entitlements”, they stressed, calling on the Finance Ministry and relevant authorities to expedite the release of the funds without further delay.
While commending President Tinubu for approving the payment, he urged immediate implementation, warning that justice delayed for elderly pensioners amounts to justice denied.
He appealed for swift action to prevent further suffering and loss of life, insisting that Nigeria must not be seen as a nation that neglects those who once served it with dedication.