Aviation unions declare strike at NiMet

Abuja, Nigeria — Workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have commenced an indefinite strike over poor remuneration and the non-implementation of their Conditions of Service (CoS), a move that threatens to disrupt critical weather services nationwide.

The industrial action, jointly declared by three major aviation unions, is expected to impact flight operations across the country, as NiMet provides essential meteorological data, forecasts, and briefings to airlines, pilots, airports, and Air Traffic Controllers.

In a notice dated October 17, 2025, and titled “Non-Implementation of Agreement – Withdrawal of Services,” the unions cited repeated appeals to NiMet management without resolution. The strike directive was signed by Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Alo Lawrence of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and Comrade Abdulrazaq Saidu of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

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“Considering the extremely poor remuneration of NiMet workers compared to their counterparts in other aviation agencies, we are compelled to heed the cries of the workers for relief,” the notice stated.

The decision was reached during a joint congress held in Abuja on October 16, 2025, and all NiMet employees have been instructed to withdraw their services effective Thursday, October 23, 2025, pending further directives from the unions.

This marks a renewed wave of industrial action following a previous strike in April, which was suspended after the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. With professional bodies such as Air Traffic Controllers and other sister unions threatening to join the strike, stakeholders fear widespread disruption in aviation operations.

As the situation unfolds, calls for urgent dialogue and resolution are mounting to prevent further impact on national air travel and safety.