A former pilot of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Mr John Okezie, has appealed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, to urgently authorise the release of long-approved severance and pension benefits owed to former workers of the airline.
More than two decades after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, former employees and pensioners—many of whom are now senior citizens—say they continue to live in hardship, neglect and uncertainty due to the non-payment of their entitlements.
Okezie, who is currently battling partial paralysis following a stroke, made the appeal in a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter addressed to The PUNCH, lamenting that once-proud ambassadors of Nigeria across Africa and the world are now facing old age without the benefits earned after decades of service.
He recalled that in mid-2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of outstanding severance and pension benefits amounting to ₦36bn, a decision that rekindled hope among the ageing former staff. However, nearly eight months after the presidential approval, the funds are yet to be released.
According to Okezie, the prolonged delay—attributed to bureaucratic processes—has had devastating consequences for ex-workers of the airline.
He said many former employees can no longer afford basic necessities such as food, shelter and medical care, noting that some are bedridden with chronic illnesses, while others have died quietly without receiving their entitlements.
“These are not just numbers or files on a desk. They are former pilots, engineers, cabin crew, technicians, accountants, administrators and support staff who upheld Nigeria’s image and aviation standards for years,” he said. “They served with loyalty and pride, only to be left to suffer in their old age.”
Okezie disclosed that he has lived with partial paralysis since 2010, describing the situation as deeply painful and demoralising for surviving pensioners who now feel abandoned by the country they faithfully served.
He questioned why payments already approved by the President should still be delayed, warning that the situation is “costing lives.”
“The continued withholding of these funds is no longer just an administrative issue; it is a humanitarian crisis. Every day of delay translates into more hunger, worsening illness and preventable deaths among senior citizens who no longer have the strength or time to wait indefinitely,” he said.
The former pilot therefore urged the Minister of Finance to act without further delay, stressing that the ₦36bn severance benefits are legal entitlements under international labour standards, not a favour.
“Justice delayed, especially for elderly pensioners, is justice denied,” he added. “Nigeria should not be remembered as a country that abandons those who served her diligently.”
