Aviation unions in Nigeria have given the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to address their concerns about the ongoing airport concession process and workers’ welfare. Failure to meet these demands could result in widespread industrial action, which may disrupt aviation activities across the country. The unions are calling for urgent attention to workers’ conditions of service and the implementation of a revised salary structure.
The unions, which include the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), jointly issued a statement following a congress held recently. In the statement, they condemned the ongoing airport concession process, which they say is being carried out without their involvement or input.
The unions also made it clear that they expect the government to approve and implement reviewed conditions of service for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) workers within the next two months. Additionally, they are demanding the implementation of a negotiated salary review by March 2025. Failure to meet these demands, the unions warned, will result in the disruption of aviation operations across the country.
The issue of airport concession has been a long-standing matter of contention between the government and aviation stakeholders. The Nigerian government has been working on the privatisation of certain airports, transferring the management of some facilities to private entities. The aim of the concession is to improve the quality of airport services, reduce operational inefficiencies, and attract private investments. However, this plan has faced resistance from various quarters, including aviation unions.
The unions argue that the government is not involving them in the process, which could result in detrimental outcomes for both workers and the aviation sector as a whole. The draft concession agreements for selected airports are reportedly being drawn up without adequate consultations with the unions, who represent a significant portion of the workforce at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
In their joint statement, the unions expressed frustration over being left out of the process, saying it was critical for their representatives to be included in the concession committee. The unions made it clear that they would not guarantee industrial peace within FAAN if their demands were not met.
“The unions will not guarantee industrial peace in FAAN. Consequently, all workers are hereby put on red alert for further directives from the unions,” the statement read.
The President of NUATE, Ben Nnabue, strongly criticised the government’s lack of transparency regarding the concession process. He highlighted that the aviation unions, which represent thousands of workers across the sector, were not being kept informed about the terms and details of the draft agreements. According to Nnabue, the government’s actions could lead to irreversible damage to the aviation sector and the welfare of workers.
“Posterity will not forgive them if they go to represent FAAN and sell FAAN out without consulting stakeholders. There is no information that is hidden forever,” Nnabue said. His remarks reflect the concerns of many workers who feel excluded from the decision-making processes that directly impact their jobs and livelihoods.
In the statement, the unions also condemned what they described as the “lack of consultation” on the issue, stressing that any decisions made without proper engagement with workers’ representatives would lead to long-term negative consequences.
Beyond the concession issue, the unions are also deeply concerned about workers’ welfare. They are demanding the urgent review and implementation of FAAN’s conditions of service. The unions have insisted that these conditions, which affect thousands of employees across various airports in Nigeria, be updated to reflect current realities and improve the working conditions of the staff.
Furthermore, the unions have called for the implementation of a negotiated salary review, which is due by March 2025. Many workers have expressed frustration over the slow pace of salary increases, which they argue do not align with the rising cost of living and the growing demands of the aviation industry. The unions have pointed out that the failure to implement the salary review by the agreed timeline will be seen as a breach of trust and could result in mass industrial action.
“We are asking for the government to review the conditions of service for FAAN workers and implement the salary review that has already been negotiated. If these demands are not met, it is clear that we will be forced to take further action,” the unions warned.
The threat of a strike is a serious concern for Nigeria’s aviation sector. A walkout by aviation workers would have a significant impact on air travel, causing delays, cancellations, and disruptions across the country’s airports. Given that air travel is a crucial mode of transportation in Nigeria, particularly for business and tourism, any disruption in aviation activities would have a ripple effect on the economy.
For the unions, a strike is seen as a last resort. However, they have made it clear that they are prepared to take this step if their demands are not addressed. They argue that their actions are not only about securing better pay and working conditions for workers but also about ensuring the long-term health and efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
