More than two decades after the collapse of Nigeria Airways, former workers of the defunct national carrier say they are still trapped in a painful cycle of neglect, hardship and broken promises.
In a statement by an aggrieved pensioner, Mr. Sheri Kyari, the ex-employees, once drawn from across the country’s 774 local government areas say, life since the airline’s liquidation in 2004 has been marked by deprivation and uncertainty, despite years of dedicated service to the nation.
Many of them, now elderly and above 65, are yet to receive their full entitlements, leaving thousands to battle poverty, illness and despair in retirement.
Hope was briefly rekindled in June 2025, when Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the payment of ₦36 billion in outstanding severance benefits, raising expectations that long-awaited relief had finally arrived.
However, months after the approval, the funds have yet to be released, with the pensioners blaming delays at the Finance Ministry led by Wale Edun.
The consequences, they say, have been devastating.
Across the country, ageing former pilots, engineers, cabin crew and other staff are reportedly dying in poverty, unable to afford basic needs such as food, shelter and medical care.
Others remain bedridden, battling chronic illnesses without support, while some have passed away with their entitlements still unpaid.
The pensioners describe the situation as no longer just an administrative setback, but a growing humanitarian concern, warning that each day of delay is costing lives among vulnerable senior citizens who can no longer afford to wait.
They are now making an urgent appeal to the Finance Ministry and relevant authorities to immediately release the approved funds, stressing that the payments are not a favour but a rightful obligation to citizens who once represented Nigeria across the world.
While commending President Tinubu for approving the payment, the group insists that justice will only be served when the funds are fully disbursed, warning that for many of them, time is running out.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen