By Kabiru Abdulrauf
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) workers have officially called off their two-day strike following a high-level intervention by the Federal Government. The industrial action, which brought significant disruption to flight operations across the country, was triggered by grievances over poor working conditions, delayed implementation of the national minimum wage, and neglect of essential staff training.
The turning point came during a meeting held in Abuja with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Present at the meeting were NiMET Director General, officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and representatives from major aviation unions, including the National Union of Transport Employees and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals.
The strike had brought major airports—including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport—to a near standstill, stranding passengers and raising serious safety concerns among airlines.
Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema led the charge on prioritizing safety, cancelling all flights and declaring, “If NiMET has not called off the strike, cancel every Air Peace flight now with immediate effect. People’s lives and the safety of our equipment and our crew are foremost.”
Industry watchers say the swift resolution underscores the critical role NiMET plays in national aviation safety and infrastructure. With the strike now over and flight operations resuming, all eyes remain on the government’s next steps to ensure long-term solutions to the concerns raised by NiMET workers.
The incident has reignited conversations around labor rights, safety protocols, and the need for sustained investment in Nigeria’s aviation meteorological services.
