9am News report confirms that workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) have officially called off their strike after a crucial intervention by the Federal Government. The decision came after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, held in Abuja on Thursday.
The industrial action, which disrupted local flight operations nationwide, was sparked by unresolved issues including the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage, exclusion of certain staff from previously disbursed allowances, and neglect of key staff training and capacity-building initiatives.
The strike, which lasted two days, left many passengers stranded across major airports, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, among others.
Present at the emergency meeting were top aviation industry stakeholders, including the Director General of NiMET, representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and leaders from major labour unions such as the National Union of Transport Employees, Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees.
The resolution followed intense deliberations on the welfare concerns raised by the workers. According to sources close to the meeting, the Aviation Ministry has pledged to address the backlog of allowances and prioritise training as part of a broader workforce development strategy.
Air Peace Cancels Flights Over Safety Concerns
One of Nigeria’s leading carriers, Air Peace, had earlier taken a bold stance during the strike, suspending all scheduled flights in response to weather safety concerns arising from the absence of NiMET’s meteorological updates.
Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety in a directive issued on Wednesday:
“If NiMET has not called off the strike, cancel every Air Peace flight now with immediate effect. People’s lives and the safety of our equipment and our crew are foremost,” Onyema stated.
“I don’t care if other airlines are flying… Suspend every Air Peace flight nationwide until further notice. Safety first.”
The suspension sent ripple effects across Nigeria’s aviation industry, highlighting the critical role NiMET plays in providing weather forecasts for flight planning and safe air navigation.
With the strike officially over, flight operations are expected to return to normal across all domestic routes. Airlines that had been grounded are now preparing to resume operations, pending confirmation of stable weather reports and clearance from aviation authorities.
The Federal Government has assured workers that their grievances will be addressed urgently to prevent future disruptions, especially in such a sensitive sector tied closely to passenger safety.
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