NIMET Unions Call-Off Strike Action After Aviation Minister’s Intervention

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, presided over a crucial meeting with representatives of the unions of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on general staff welfare matters, following the unions’ earlier notice of an impending industrial action.

After extensive deliberations that involved constructive consultations and a thorough review of facts and figures, an amicable resolution was reached, leading to the suspension of the planned strike action, which was earlier scheduled to commence by midnight today.

These were contained in a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The communiqué jointly signed by representatives of both parties — Odinaka Igbokwe (DGS, NUATE), Alo Lawrence (GS, AUPCTRE), Kayode Alakija (SSASCGOC General), Alale Adedayo (President General, ANAP), Dr. Nasiru Sani (Director, HR&A), and Sani Bello Torankawa (Director, HRM) — detailed the following resolutions:

Salary Relativity Issue:
The meeting resolved that the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary will engage relevant authorities for due consideration of the salary relativity subject matter.

Pending Financial Matters:
All stakeholders agreed to exercise patience and demonstrate commitment while ensuring consistent follow-up on the payment of 2024 Minimum Wage Arrears; and settlement of the nine (9) months arrears of Consequential Salary Adjustment.

Payment for Omitted Staff:
The NiMet Management shall, with immediate effect, pay the thirty (30) omitted staff from the Agency’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

On the issue of furniture grant, it was agreed that 35% of the approved Furniture Grant shall be implemented immediately while the remaining 65% shall be captured and paid in the 2026 Annual Budget; and to ensure accurate reconciliation of funds due to NiMet from sister-agencies; an Inter-Agency Account Reconciliation Committee shall be constituted by the Permanent Secretary with clearly defined Terms of Reference.

On the agency’s conditions of service, it was agreed in the meeting that NiMet Management shall involve Union representatives in pursuing approvals for allowances and establishment matters with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF); and management should also be proactive in obtaining all necessary approvals within reasonable timeframes.

Based on these mutual understandings and resolutions, the planned industrial action by NiMet staff has been officially suspended.

The Minister commended the union leaders for their maturity, constructive engagement, and sense of responsibility, emphasizing the Ministry’s continued commitment to promoting staff welfare, industrial harmony, and institutional reforms that will enhance productivity and service delivery in the aviation sector.