Addressing the Long-Standing Issues of Nigeria Airways Retirees
Chris Aligbe
One of the pressing challenges that emerged upon your assumption of office in 2023 was the mistreatment of retired staff from Nigeria Airways. Many retirees have yet to receive their full severance pay and entitlements. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who began his tenure in the third quarter of the year, pledged to resolve this crisis. By 2025, he has made considerable efforts to facilitate the disbursement of payments that you approved nearly nine months ago.
Your presidency was anticipated as a beacon of renewed hope for many, but that optimism is now at risk of fading. It’s essential to clarify that you bear no responsibility for the egregious treatment of retirees, a situation that dates back to 2001. During Dr. Kema Chikwe’s term as Minister of Aviation under President Olusegun Obasanjo, she disregarded the recommendations of the Aboki Zawa Committee, which aimed to ensure that no employees would have to resign without receiving their benefits. Instead, she presided over the forced retirement of numerous skilled professionals, leaving them without any entitlements, a decision that ultimately led to the airline’s distressing decline by 2003.
In a meeting that marked the conclusion of Obasanjo’s first term, Dr. Chikwe submitted two significant notes: one requesting the liquidation of Nigeria Airways and another proposing the establishment of “Nigeria Global” as its successor. While the liquidation was approved, the proposal for a new airline was rejected. Subsequent to this approval, President Obasanjo pushed forward with the liquidation, despite the International Finance Corporation (IFC) advising that Nigeria Airways’ assets—nearly four times its debt—were sufficient for a new airline’s establishment.
These assets included a wealth of talent among Nigeria Airways’ pilots, mechanics, and engineers, alongside extensive real estate holdings across major cities such as Lagos, London, New York, and others. However, the liquidation process was executed under the oversight of a presidentially appointed liquidator, Babington Ashei, resulting in the dispossession of all landed assets. Even more shockingly, more than 4,000 former employees were denied any severance payments, despite entitlements exceeding N76 billion.
The indifference displayed by ministers of aviation and finance during this cruel liquidation became apparent, leaving the affected staff in a state of despair. As a result, these individuals have been left metaphorically waiting for a resolution, akin to the plays of Samuel Beckett. Successive aviation ministers, from Kema Chikwe to Femi Fani-Kayode, have failed to express sympathy or urgency regarding the plight of these retirees, as did finance ministers over the years.
Some temporary relief came under the short presidency of Umaru Musa Yardua, who managed to authorize five years’ worth of terminal benefits, yet many remained unpaid. His successor, President Goodluck Jonathan, seemingly continued the legacy of inaction, and even the later administration under President Muhammadu Buhari struggled to address Nigeria Airways’ tumultuous legacy. Although Buhari acknowledged the unjust liquidation during his campaign, progress has remained stagnated, with only sporadic payments made to retirees, often laden with humiliation.
Urgent Need for Action on Retirement Payments
The recent administration under President Bola Tinubu has reignited hopes for final payments, as calls for the settlement of the remaining N36 billion intensified. The President’s approval of this settlement in June 2025 was welcomed, with Finance Minister Wale Edun communicating the decision to Minister Keyamo without delay. However, progress has stagnated since then, leaving hundreds of former employees dependent on a resolution that has yet to materialize.
The Treasury Department has been accused of inadvertently contributing to the suffering of these retirees, with over 600 having already passed away as their hard-earned benefits remain overdue. Among the deceased are several former employees known for their dedication to Nigeria Airways and the larger aviation sector. Tragically, many of those still living are experiencing severe health challenges and financial distress, exacerbated by the lack of support from the government.
Despite the passage of time, numerous retirees, some wheelchair-bound or bedridden, remain hopeful. Among the survivors are notable former employees who dedicated their careers to Nigeria Airways from its inception until its tumultuous end. These individuals played crucial roles in connecting Nigeria to various key global destinations while contributing to national pride and international diplomacy.
Call to Restore Hope for Retirees
The continued delay in fulfilling your approval from nine months ago reflects a disregard for the rightful claims of these former employees. It is imperative to revitalize the hope you once inspired within this community and bring closure to their quarter-century struggle. The legacy of Nigeria Airways is intertwined with the stories of its staff, living or deceased, who have contributed significantly to making Nigeria a recognized name in global aviation.
As time moves forward, it is crucial that we honor the sacrifices made by these veterans, providing them with the compensation they rightfully deserve. Their contributions to the nation were profound and have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s aviation history.
*Chris Aligbe is a retired aviation consultant with Nigeria Airways.
