TENSION is rising across Nigeria’s aviation sector as workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have declared an indefinite strike over what they describe as poor remuneration, stagnation, and the federal government’s failure to implement their long-awaited Conditions of Service (CoS).
News Point Nigeria reports that the strike, jointly declared by key aviation unions, threatens to cripple vital weather observation and forecasting services that are indispensable to safe flight operations nationwide.
NiMet, which provides real-time meteorological information, weather briefings, and forecasts to airlines, pilots, airports, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs), is a crucial component of Nigeria’s air safety infrastructure. Any disruption to its services could significantly affect flight scheduling, planning, and passenger safety.
In a notice titled “Non-Implementation of Agreement – Withdrawal of Services” dated October 17, 2025, and addressed to all NiMet workers, the unions said the strike would commence on Thursday, October 23, 2025, if their grievances are not addressed.
The notice, seen by News Point Nigeria, was jointly signed by Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe, General Secretary 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).
“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 unions stated.
“This decision was taken at the joint congress of workers held with the national secretaries of the unions on October 16, 2025, in Abuja. Accordingly, all NiMet workers are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective Thursday, October 23, 2025, unless otherwise directed by the unions following an amicable resolution of the issues.”
According to union sources, the strike became inevitable after “several appeals, meetings, and reminders” to NiMet management and the Ministry of Aviation failed to yield tangible results.
The aggrieved workers claim that despite repeated government promises, the approved Conditions of Service — which should have taken effect in 2023 have not been implemented. They also accuse the management of neglecting welfare, poor salary scales, and a lack of motivation compared to staff in sister aviation agencies such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The development has sparked anxiety within the aviation industry, as NiMet’s operations are integral to both domestic and international flight movements. Aviation experts warn that the strike could ground flight operations or compromise safety if not urgently resolved.
It would be recalled that the aviation unions had earlier embarked on a strike in April 2025, disrupting NiMet’s services and flight schedules across the country. That action was suspended after the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who assured the unions of government’s commitment to addressing their demands.
However, with the fresh breakdown of negotiations, unions say they have lost confidence in management’s promises. Some professional bodies, including Air Traffic Controllers and other sister aviation unions, have hinted at joining the strike in solidarity, a move that could paralyse the entire aviation sector.
A senior union official told News Point Nigeria that the workers have endured years of neglect and are no longer willing to work under “inhuman conditions.”
“NiMet staff are some of the least paid in the entire aviation industry despite the critical nature of their job. Enough is enough. This time, we won’t back down until our conditions of service are fully implemented,” the source said.
The Aviation Ministry and NiMet management are yet to issue an official response as at press time.
