The leadership of the union representing former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja, to formally honour him for his steadfast advocacy toward the settlement of their long-outstanding retirement benefits.
At the event, the union presented the Minister with a Merit Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions and transformative efforts within the Nigerian aviation sector. The award also symbolised the union’s deep appreciation for his pivotal role in driving the finalisation of retirement benefits that have remained unresolved for more than two decades, subjecting many former workers to prolonged hardship and uncertainty.
The engagement, held in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, further centred on the welfare of the union’s ageing membership and the need for the expeditious completion of the pension settlement process.
President of the Union, Captain Shuaibu Alfa, who led the delegation, conveyed the collective gratitude of the former employees to the Minister and the federal government.
“We took this opportunity to express our most sincere appreciation to the Honourable Minister for the support and assistance he has already extended to us. We came to thank him, and by extension, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, Alfa said.
He noted that the Minister’s proactive intervention had been instrumental in breaking a stalemate that had persisted since the liquidation of Nigeria Airways on 30 September 2004.
Providing an update on recent developments, Alfa explained that significant progress was recorded in 2025, following approvals conveyed by the Ministry of Finance in June.
He disclosed that a tripartite meeting held in August 2025 involving the Ministries of Finance and Aviation, alongside the union leadership, produced a clear payment framework, with disbursements scheduled to commence in the last quarter of 2025.
While acknowledging the empathy shown by the current administration, the union president drew attention to the present condition of the retirees, the majority of whom are above 60 years of age. He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to peaceful engagement and sustained dialogue in advocating for the welfare of its members.
“Our engagement remains anchored on hope and trust in the government’s resolve to bring this long-standing issue to a just conclusion”, he stated.
Alfa also commended the patience and restraint demonstrated by union members over the years, noting that the government’s renewed goodwill has strengthened confidence and optimism among the retirees.
In his response, the Honourable Minister thanked the union for the recognition and assured them that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to implementing the agreed payment schedule. He acknowledged the prolonged wait endured by the pensioners and gave his personal assurance that all relevant ministries are working assiduously to ensure that payments commence without further delay.
Reflecting on the breakthrough, the Minister remarked: “If this administration could make meaningful progress on an issue that remained unresolved for over twenty years within the space of a year, it clearly demonstrates a government that places premium value on the welfare of its people—especially those who devoted their productive years to national service.
This achievement reflects the character of a listening President who is determined to keep his promises”.