A coalition of major aviation labor unions in Nigeria issued a notice calling for a nationwide protest at all airports across the country on August 21st. The protest is aimed at demanding the discontinuation of a 50% deduction from the internally generated revenue of several key aviation agencies.
The unions involved include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
According to the notice, the affected government agencies are the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The unions argue that these aviation agencies are cost recovery organizations, not profit-making entities, and therefore cannot survive on only half of their internally generated revenues. They claim that important safety-critical operations are already being compromised due to the financial constraints caused by the 50% deductions.
“It has, therefore, become incumbent us as trade unions and workers in aviation to let the public and the government be aware that we shall bear no responsibility in the certain event that the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity due to the deductions at source,” the notice states.
All state councils, women’s commissions/committees, youth councils, and local branches of the participating unions have been directed to fully mobilize and ensure the success of the planned peaceful protests nationwide. The unions are calling for solidarity and full compliance from all aviation workers.
The notice is signed by the general secretaries of the major unions involved, including Comrade Ocheme Aba, Comrade Frances Akinjole, Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, and Comrade Sikiru Atjeed.
This impending nationwide protest highlights the severe financial pressures facing Nigeria’s aviation sector and the unions’ concerns about the potential collapse of the industry if the revenue deductions are not discontinued. The government will undoubtedly be closely monitoring the situation as the August 21st protest date approaches.