The National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Comrade John Ogbe, has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in the payment of outstanding severance benefits to former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, despite presidential approval granted in June 2025.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Aviation in pushing the process forward but raised concerns over what he described as unexplained bottlenecks at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, noting that more than a year after approval, affected workers are still awaiting payment.
Comrade Ogbe said the union stands in firm solidarity with the ex-workers and lamented the worsening humanitarian situation, stressing that many beneficiaries and even their dependents have died while waiting to receive their entitlements.
He described the situation as deeply painful and unacceptable.
The ATSSSAN president appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the release of the funds and use the upcoming International Workers’ Day as an opportunity to settle the long-standing obligation, describing it as a meaningful gesture to honour the contributions of the former airline workers.
The union leader emphasized that the ex-employees of Nigeria Airways played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s aviation industry and deserve to benefit from their years of service.
He warned that the continued delay is unjustifiable, adding that the union cannot remain passive while those who contributed to the sector’s development continue to suffer without receiving what is rightfully theirs.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen