By Emeka Blast 
Flight Operations at Risk as Aviation Unions Set August 11 for Nationwide Strike
Nigeria’s aviation sector faces an impending shutdown as major unions, led by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), have announced a complete withdrawal of services starting Monday, August 11, 2025, at 05:00 hours. The strike, backed by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), threatens to ground all air travel and disrupt economic activities nationwide. The unions issued a seven-day ultimatum on July 31 to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, demanding immediate action on stalled salary adjustments, which they describe as a breach of trust by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Ministry.
The unions’ joint statement, signed by NUATE General Secretary Ocheme Abba, ANAP Secretary General Abdul Rasaq Saidu, and others, directed all airport workers under NAMA to halt operations, including air traffic control, ground handling, and meteorological services. “This is a total shutdown,” the statement read, warning that failure to resolve the dispute by August 10 would paralyze the aviation sector. The salary adjustments, finalized after months of negotiations, were intended to address longstanding concerns over inadequate compensation and poor working conditions, but their non-implementation has fueled worker discontent. A source within NAMA told The PUNCH that staff frustration stems from “repeated delays and unfulfilled promises,” with some workers earning below the national minimum wage despite critical roles in ensuring flight safety.
The looming strike has raised alarm across Nigeria, with airlines like Air Peace and Ibom Air warning passengers of potential flight cancellations. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) urged travelers to monitor flight statuses and arrive early, anticipating chaos at major hubs like Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport and Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport. On X, @NaijaGist tweeted, “Aviation strike from Aug 11? Nigeria’s airports are about to be ghost towns! #AviationCrisis,” while @EagleEyeNG posted, “Keyamo needs to act fast or this strike will cripple the economy.” Critics, like @TruthSeekerNG, questioned the timing, asking, “Why strike now when Nigerians are already struggling with inflation?”
The Ministry of Aviation has yet to issue an official response, but sources indicate that Minister Keyamo is engaging union leaders to avert the crisis. A ministry insider told NigerianEye that emergency meetings are underway, with proposals to expedite salary payments. However, the unions remain resolute, citing a history of failed negotiations, including a similar threat in June 2020 over unpaid salaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. That strike was narrowly averted after last-minute concessions, but union leaders warn that “this time is different.”
The strike’s economic impact could be severe, with Nigeria’s aviation sector contributing over N2 trillion annually to GDP. A prolonged shutdown risks disrupting business travel, cargo logistics, and tourism, especially during the August travel peak. The situation echoes a 2023 aviation strike threat, when unions mobilized for a Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protest against fuel subsidy removal, highlighting recurring labor tensions in the sector.
