By Itohan Abara-Laserian, Lagos/ Gabriel Agbeja, Abuja
April 24, 2025
Air Peace has said that it will resume flight operations on Friday following suspension of strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) workers.
The airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Ejike Ndiulo, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday night in Lagos.
According to Ndiulo, Air Peace is grateful to its customers and the general public for patience, understanding and support throughout the period of the strike.
”Your resilience and trust in our brand mean the world to us.
“We commend the active and decisive intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), whose leadership and commitment were pivotal in resolving the impasse and restoring normalcy within the aviation industry,” Ndiulo said.
He noted the minister’s swift engagement with aviation stakeholders, his transparent approach and his dedication to the stability and progress of the aviation sector.
According to him, Keyamo’s efforts not only facilitated timely resolution of the industrial dispute but also underscored his broader vision for a safer, more efficient and investor-friendly Nigerian aviation industry.
Ndiulo reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to providing safe, reliable and world-class services.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIMET workers on Thursday shelved the strike which began on April 22 following Keyamo’s intervention.
The workers downed tools in protest of alleged poor working conditions, including non-implementation of the 2019 Consequential Adjustment to the National Minimum Wage (affecting at least 30 staff).
They are also demanding a 25/35 per cent salary increase, 40 per cent hardship/peculiar allowance, and annual staff trainings.
Keyamo had promised to find lasting solutions to the problems.
Unionists of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Thursday in Abuja suspended their strike action driven by demand for better working conditions.
The suspension of strike was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keysmo.
Moshood said the unions suspended the strike action until May 13, to enable the federal government intervene on the issues raised.
`This development emerged at the end of a crucial meeting convened by the Minister with leaders of the aggrieved unions, including National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
“Speaking after the meeting, Comrade Aba Ocheme, National Secretary of NUATE, confirmed the decision to suspend the strike,” he said
Moshood said that Ocheme stressed that the strike was suspended in recognition of the Minister’s timely and sincere intervention.
He said, Mr Alale Adedayo, ANAP National President, on his part noted that the unions decided to temporarily call off the strike while the process of resolution continued.
Moshood recalled that, at the meeting, the Minister pledged his commitment to finding lasting solutions to their concerns.
According to him, Keyamo said that he “will personally intervene through formal communications to both President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, to fast-track the resolution of pressing financial concerns.
He said the minister reiterated the importance of industrial harmony in the aviation sector and commended the union leaders for their maturity, patriotism, and willingness to dialogue in the national interest.
Moshood recalled that the unions downed tools over a number of unresolved grievances relating to poor working conditions, including salary relativity with other aviation agencies.
He also identified non-implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment to the national minimum wage.
