Employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have suspended their indefinite strike following the intervention of the Federal Government.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was prompted by unresolved welfare concerns, including the agency’s failure to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances, outstanding entitlements, wage awards, and payments dating back to the 2019 minimum wage review.
The workers also accused NiMet management of withholding critical documents, overlooking repeated requests to include omitted staff in previous payments, and prioritising executive retreats over essential training programmes.
However, the industrial action was called off yesterday after a closed-door meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and NiMet union executives.
Announcing the development on X (formerly Twitter), the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Gbenga Saka, stated:
“The aviation union to suspend ongoing strike tonight.”
The strike had significantly disrupted air travel, forcing Air Peace to ground all flights nationwide due to the lack of QNH reports—vital weather data needed for safe landings.
A union member told The Telegraph that the strike has been suspended for two weeks to allow time for further dialogue. Addressing the press in Abuja, Minister Keyamo confirmed that significant progress was made during negotiations.
“Most of the issues raised were a result of communication gaps and delays in implementing reforms previously approved under former Minister Prof. Babalola Aborisade,” Keyamo said. “We acknowledge their struggles—these are valid demands, and we found common ground on nearly all of them. NiMet staff have shown remarkable patience, and they deserve better. We’re committed to prompt action.”
When asked about airlines that continued operations despite NiMet’s strike, the minister noted that while modern aircraft can read weather independently, NiMet’s data substantially improves flight safety.
“Would you rather fly with 60% certainty or 99% certainty?” he asked.
