The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that a nationwide strike planned by aviation unions for Monday has been suspended.
In a post on his official X account on Sunday, Keyamo said: “We are happy to announce that, after our intervention, the planned strike by the Aviation Unions due to commence tomorrow has been shelved.”
The strike threat came from four unions—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, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUCPTRE).
Keyamo attributed the breakthrough to his “long relationship with labour unions,” saying he was committed to working with them to resolve long-standing issues in the sector “one by one” through good faith engagement.
In a joint statement on August 8, 2025, the unions recalled that they had renewed their strike notice over delays in implementing a reviewed salary structure, citing rising living costs and operational demands. However, they credited “the hard work of NAMA management” and the intervention of the minister and senior ministry officials with achieving “positive developments” in the dispute.
Among these was the release of a “no objection” letter from the Budget Office to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission on August 7, as well as NAMA’s written assurance to staff that the new wages would be paid alongside August salaries.
“Based on the above, and in order to demonstrate good faith, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action scheduled to commence on Monday, August 11, 2025, pending the state of affairs on the subject matter at the end of August 2025,” the statement read.
The planned industrial action, announced in late July, would have disrupted air navigation and traffic management nationwide, potentially grounding domestic and international flights. With the deferment, the unions have urged NAMA staff to “keep a hopeful watch as the situation unfolds.”
