Flight operations across Nigerian airports face disruption as Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NiMet) workers begin a nationwide indefinite strike on Wednesday April 23, 2025.
The strike stems from unresolved issues between NiMet management and several aviation workers’ unions.
The striking unions include the Union of Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations.
The unions accused NiMet management of failing to honour an agreement signed on January 28, 2025.
They described the agreement as a partial step toward addressing long-standing remuneration challenges faced by NiMet staff.
The unions stated, “Management has largely breached the January 28 agreement intended to ease staff suffering.”
They added that staff have endured extreme poverty and hardship due to unjust pay conditions over the years.
NiMet workers insist that without improved welfare, operations cannot continue.
Flight activities are at risk since all aircraft require NiMet weather clearance before take-off or landing.
Airlines now face uncertainty as no weather reports may be available to guide flight operations.
Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, described weather reports as essential to flight operations.
“If there’s no weather report, aircraft cannot take off or land,” Sanusi stressed.
He, however, declined to confirm whether airlines would operate flights on Wednesday.
He maintained that operations depend on access to real-time weather updates from NiMet.
Meanwhile, aviation authorities have not responded publicly to the looming crisis.
Director of Public Affairs at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, has yet to issue a statement.
Also, the spokesperson of Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, has remained silent.
Passengers at major airports are growing anxious over the strike’s impact.
“I have a flight tomorrow; government should intervene fast,” said Ireti Idowu at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.
Another passenger, Isaiah Manuel, travelling from Abuja to Lagos, also expressed concern.
“I don’t know if my flight will be cancelled,” he said nervously.
Passengers nationwide now await clarity from aviation authorities.
