JUST IN: Aviation Workers Set to Begin Nationwide Strike on September 18

Aviation workers across Nigeria are preparing to embark on a nationwide strike starting September 18, 2024. This decision comes after the Federal Government refused to reverse its policy of deducting 50% from the internally generated revenues of key aviation agencies.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the aviation unions announced their intention to shut down airports across the country. The statement was signed by Ocheme Aba, General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and Frances Akinjole, Deputy General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), along with other union leaders.

The unions involved include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees.

The strike is in response to increased deductions from the revenues of aviation agencies, such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, which began with a 25% deduction in 2022, has progressively increased, with President Bola Tinubu raising it to 50% in January 2024.

The unions have voiced concern that these deductions are placing severe financial strain on the agencies, leading to the compromise of critical safety operations. They warned that the aviation sector could soon become dysfunctional if the situation is not addressed.

“All efforts on our part to highlight the unsustainable nature of these deductions have failed. The agencies are not profit-making organizations but cost-recovery bodies, and cannot survive on half of their revenues,” the unions stated, adding that the ultimatum they gave to the Minister of Aviation expired in August 2024.

The unions emphasized that they would not be held responsible for any disruptions in the aviation industry resulting from the strike, urging all their branches and affiliates nationwide to mobilize for peaceful protests and ensure the success of