Nigeria’s aviation sector is on the brink of a major shutdown, as key unions have issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, demanding the immediate implementation of a long-delayed new salary structure for workers under the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). The ultimatum, issued via a joint letter on Thursday, July 31, 2025, warns of a total withdrawal of services by NAMA staff nationwide if their demands are not met by August 7, 2025.

The aggrieved unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), expressed profound frustration over the prolonged delay. They highlighted that negotiations for the new salary structure with NAMA management were concluded over eight months ago, yet the agreed adjustments remain unimplemented.

According to a joint statement from the unions, multiple notices and reminders have been sent to the authorities, but no concrete action has been taken to address their grievances. They lamented that the “salary adjustments agreement has been lying fallow and gathering dust on the tables of approving authorities.”

The impending industrial action threatens to cripple flight operations across the country, impacting both domestic and international air travel. NAMA is critical to aviation safety, providing air traffic control, navigation, and other essential services that ensure the smooth flow of aircraft within Nigerian airspace. A complete withdrawal of services by its workers would effectively ground all flights, leading to significant economic losses and widespread disruption for travelers.

The unions have advised all NAMA clients and the general public to take note of the impending action, emphasizing that they will not guarantee industrial peace if their demands continue to be ignored beyond the stated deadline. This development escalates long-standing issues of staff welfare within the aviation agencies, bringing the crucial role of NAMA workers and their remuneration to the forefront of national discourse.