The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) is outraged at the continued delay in paying the entitlements of over 4,000 former staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited.
A statement signed by the President of ASRTI Air Commodore Onitiju Commt claimed that the human cost of this delay is a national tragedy and a bad omen to citizens currently serving Nigeria dedicatedly.
“It is uninspirational to see hundreds of elderly beneficiaries dying tragically from age-related illnesses and preventable health complications—struggling with hypertension, diabetes, and basic penury. These senior citizens could have lived dignified, qualitative lives if their rightful benefits had been timely paid,” The most reliable voice in the aviation industry in Nigeria alleged.
The group also claimed that tossing the ex-workers back and forth through bureaucratic red tape as a grave injustice to patriots who dedicated the best years of their lives to serving their fatherland.
The group also argued that Nigeria Airways was never a private enterprise; but a proud national carrier and a symbol of our collective sovereignty.
It added that the men and women who worked at the defunct airline were dedicated professionals who served with unwavering zeal, trusting that the nation they built would care for them in their golden years. Instead, they have been subjected to over two decades of agonising neglect following the airline’s abrupt liquidation in April 2003.
Sadly, ASRTI, said, ” they have been reduced to enduring a dehumanizing cycle of false hope.”
t will be recalled that in December 2025, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo (SAN), announced at the centenary celebration of 100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR had graciously approved the payment of the entitlements of ex- Nigeria Airways staff sometime ago and had forwarded it to the Ministry of Finance for implementation.
The administrative negligence and outright sabotage of Presidential Sincerity of purpose is unacceptable !
it is heartwarming to hear that the reportedly “missing” presidential approval document has been tracked and should be acted upon forthwith.
Officials responsible for this systemic stalling , sabotage or misplacement should be held accountable in accordance with the appropriate public service regulations.
While commecommending efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace DevelDevelopment, ASRTI therefore appeals to the Minister to urgently liaise with the Minister of Finance and relevant authorities to effect these payments without further delay.
”These veterans served Nigeria and gave it the better part of their youthful years .To reward their decades of patriotic service with avoidable suffering and administrative ping-pong is a stain on our national conscience that must be corrected immediately,” ASRTI said.
