The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced the suspension of a planned strike by aviation unions, which was scheduled to commence on Monday.

In a statement by the minister through his official X account on Sunday, he said, “We are happy to announce that, after our intervention, the planned strike by the Aviation Unions due to commence tomorrow has been shelved.

“The unions comprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees issued a joint statement suspending the strike.”

He further noted that his longstanding ties with labour leaders played a role in achieving the breakthrough. “Given my long relationship with labour Unions, I have continued to work with our Comrades to find lasting solutions to issues that have been pending in the sector long before we came to office, and by showing absolute good faith, the issues would be resolved one by one,” he stated.

According to a joint statement signed by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees on August 8, 2025, the unions recalled that, “yesterday we were compelled by unfavourable circumstances surrounding our quest for improved remuneration to reinforce our earlier notice of withdrawal of services to the effect of issuing a clear directive to commence the action on Monday 11th August 2025.”

However, the unions said the strike has been deferred due to recent positive developments.

“Now, however, due to the hard work of the management of NAMA and the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and other senior officials of the ministry, we are happy to report that there have been some positive developments around the issue.

“In this respect, we note the release of the ‘no objection’ letter from the Budget Office to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission yesterday (7th August, 2025), and the letter from the Management of NAMA to its staff to the effect of its strenuous efforts and expectations to ensure payment of the new remunerations along with August salaries.”

Citing the need to maintain constructive dialogue, the statement continued:

“Based on the above, and in order to demonstrate good faith, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action scheduled to commence on Monday, August 11, 2025, pending the state of affairs on the subject matter at the end of August 2025.”

The unions urged all NAMA staff to remain engaged and optimistic. “Accordingly, we enjoin all staff of NAMA to join us in keeping a hopeful watch as the situation unfolds.”

In late July, aviation unions NUATE, ATSSSAN, ANAP, and AUCPTRE issued a notice of withdrawal of services to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, demanding improved remuneration for staff.

The notice, which expired on August 8, directed all NAMA workers to commence an indefinite strike from August 11 at 5 a.m., warning airlines, allied companies, and the flying public to make alternative travel arrangements.

The planned action threatened to shut down air navigation and traffic management services nationwide, potentially grounding both domestic and international flights. The strike threat stemmed from delays in implementing a reviewed salary structure, which the unions said was overdue given rising living costs and operational demands.

Urgent intervention by Keyamo, NAMA management, and senior ministry officials led to progress, including a “no objection” letter from the Budget Office to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission. In light of these developments, the unions deferred the strike until the end of August, pending payment of the new wages with August salaries. (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)