The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has invited the three major aviation sector unions, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) to another round of discussions to clarify lingering concerns and prevent the breakdown of industrial harmony.
Nimet issued a formal response to a joint letter by unions to prevent the planned resumption of industrial action.
In a letter dated April 10, 2025, the unions had accused NiMet’s management of failing to implement critical components of the January 28, 2025 agreement.
However, NiMet, through its Director, Human Resource Management & Administration, Dr. Nasiru Sani, has rejected the unions’ claims, describing them as “unfair” and “demeaning.”
During the January 28 agreement, NiMet management maintained that while the union’s concerns are valid, many of the issues raised, however, required inter-agency cooperation.
Sani said: “NiMet hads engaged relevant government agencies and is awaiting responses or approvals on several matters.
“On conditions of service, NiMet expressed dismay over what it termed the union’s “unbelief attitude” regarding the integrity of the negotiated Conditions of Service. The agency affirmed that it had forwarded the documents to the Ministry and even enhanced the terms by including additional allowances.
“Pending Wage Awards and Payments: On the 25–35 per cent wage award, the balance of the 2019 minimum wage, and omission of 30 staff from that payment, NiMet confirmed that all necessary approvals have been obtained. However, the agency awaits fund release, which lies outside its jurisdiction.
Sani added that on salary relativity dispute, the union’s reference to a directive to adopt the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) salary structure was said to be unsupported by any verifiable document.
“Nonetheless, NiMet has engaged the Honourable Minister, who has expressed a willingness to enhance staff welfare.
Management also emphasied that it initiated a structured and inclusive staff training programme in 2024—tagged “Continuous Staff Training”—to ensure no employee is left out, countering claims that training had been neglected.
“Quarterly Conditions of Service Allowance: Despite financial constraints, the agency disclosed that the Director-General recently approved and paid the quarterly allowance to all staff as a gesture of goodwill.”
NiMet revealed it had obtained approval for an upward review of its internally generated revenue (IGR) share from NAMA, NCAA, and FAAN, to bolster staff welfare initiatives, therefore, reaffirmed its preference for dialogue over confrontation.
“The unfolding situation remains critical, as the unions have not yet officially withdrawn their threat to resume industrial action. Stakeholders await the unions’ next move as negotiations continue,” Sani said.
