- As Minister intervenes in NiMet workers' strike
Flight operations were disrupted across the country yesterday following the strike embarked upon by staff of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which entered its third day today (Thursday).
Already the strike has started taking a toll on airlines' operation with Air Peace announcing the suspension of its flights nationwide with immediate effect leaving many passengers stranded at the airport.
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Aviation unions had declared an indefinite strike in the agency over conditions of service. Many flights were diverted over the failure of the agency to provide destination weather.
Three industry unions, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), declared the strike.
The unions, in a circular to their members, stated that they had made efforts to alleviate the "exceedingly unjust remunerations conundrum" with no substantial result", adding that the staff had been plunged into poverty.
The unions also lamented that the agreements between the management and workers signed since January 29, 2025, to improve the conditions of service had been breached.
The circular added: "In the light of management's inability to address our given concerns and being that we can no longer continue to cope with present hardships and especially as the ultimatum given to the management has expired, we have no choice but to resume the suspended strike.
"Accordingly, all staff of NiMet nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw all services from the agency indefinitely with effect from midnight of Tuesday, April 22, 2025, without exception until otherwise directed."
Daily Trust reports that following the strike, NiMet has not been providing Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), meteorological trend forecast, meteorological and climate information data collected across 56 synoptic stations, while meteorological information is not disseminated according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard and recommended practices, among others.
It was learnt that as of yesterday, no weather briefing is being given to flights, with the development threatening safe flight operations.
"As I am talking to you, NiMet is in total lockdown and no cease-fire in the pipeline. Air traffic controllers and other aviation unions would join the strike in solidarity. All other 56 synoptic offices, agro stations, marine stations and aeronautic stations have been shut down," a source said.
The unions and NiMet management had been having a running battle over the implementation of CoS, 2019 minimum wage payment and the continuous staff training, among other demands.
According to the unions, the management had failed to implement the agreements it reached with the workers on January 28, 2025, adding that the management had also failed to negotiate with the unions on the issues raised.
It would be recalled that the strike was scheduled to commence on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, but the NiMet management reached an agreement to postpone till further notice the planned industrial strike.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, February 3, 2025, the unions' representatives announced that the postponement of the strike action followed agreements reached between national and branch officers of the unions and the management of NiMet.
In the negotiations, which culminated in the signing of the agreement by both parties, timelines of actions were agreed upon by both parties on the various issues raised by the unions.
At the time, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, stated that management will always champion the cause of workers' welfare, but within realistic economic conditions.
"I welcome the efforts of the National Officers of NiMet agency-based unions and the input of the branches. We are not over the line yet on the issues, but I am happy that we have been able to convince the unions' leadership to postpone their planned strike action. This will enable management to continue with its ongoing efforts towards obtaining the necessary approvals from the federal government on the issues raised by unions."
Minister summons NiMet management, unions
Following the failure of the management to implement the condition of service, the workers have paralysed the activities of the agency with 56 synoptic offices of NiMet shut.
The workers also carried out protests at Abuja, Kano, Minna, Port Harcourt and Asaba airports with the action affecting flight operations of airlines.
The protesting workers carried placards with inscriptions such as "We're tired of failed promises"; "No weather, no flight!" "Fly at your own risk!"
Our correspondent learnt that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, had summoned a meeting with the unions on Thursday.
The General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Aba Ocheme, who confirmed the meeting with our correspondent, yesterday, however, said the minimum condition for calling off the strike is for the management to implement the agreements reached with the workers.
"It is still where it is. The strike is on and is continuing. There is no ground for any contrary decision. A meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow (today) and until then, we remain where we are," he said.
Passengers stranded as Air Peace suspends flights nationwide
Air Peace has announced the suspension of all flight operations nationwide following the strike action embarked upon by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
"We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Air Peace is suspending all flight operations nationwide with immediate effect.
"This decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, which are critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Without these reports from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.
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"As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.
"We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologize. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling," the airline said in a statement.
A passenger who spoke with our correspondent said he is stuck at the airport asking if there was any hope for the crisis to be sorted last night. "I am supposed to be in Lagos by now but here I am still stranded in Abuja," the passenger said.
'NiMet disappointed with unions' hardline stance'
There was no official response from NiMet as of yesterday, but a senior management staff expressed disappointment with the 'hardline stance' of the unions.
He said most of the issues in contention had been resolved, while others were at various stages of resolution.
"When the unions served notice of the strike, management outlined the status of each issue. It is surprising they proceeded with the strike action, having recently commended our labour-friendly policies. One wonders if there are other motives or actors bent on sabotaging management at play.
"Management remains committed to an amicable resolution so normal services can be restored. The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has scheduled a meeting with all parties on Thursday, 24 April 2025. We are hopeful the unions will listen to reason--after all, no one bites off his nose to spite his face."
