The leadership of the union representing former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways has formally honoured the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), in recognition of his decisive intervention in advancing the long-overdue payment of their retirement benefits.
The delegation, led by the union’s President, Captain Shuaibu Alfa, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja on Wednesday, where they presented him with a Merit Award for what they described as his “outstanding and transformative” contribution to resolving a matter that has lingered for more than two decades.
The ceremony of appreciation was marked by warm exchanges and a renewed sense of optimism among the retirees, many of whom have endured years of financial hardship and uncertainty following the liquidation of Nigeria Airways in 2004. According to the union, the Minister’s sustained engagement and advocacy have been instrumental in moving the long-stalled pension process closer to final resolution.
Speaking during the visit, Captain Alfa expressed the deep gratitude of former Nigeria Airways staff to the Minister and the Federal Government for demonstrating renewed commitment to their welfare.
“We came primarily to say thank you,” he said. “We want to express our sincere appreciation to the Honourable Minister for the support and assistance he has already extended to us. By extension, we are also thanking the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for giving us hope after many years of waiting.”
Captain Alfa noted that the intervention of the Minister had helped to unlock progress on an issue that had remained unresolved since the airline was liquidated on 30 September 2004. He explained that while previous administrations acknowledged the problem, tangible movement only materialised in recent months.
Providing an update on the process, the union president disclosed that significant milestones were achieved in 2025.
“Following approvals conveyed by the Ministry of Finance in June 2025, a tripartite meeting held in August between the Ministries of Finance and Aviation, alongside the union leadership, resulted in a clearly defined payment schedule,” he said. “Based on that agreement, disbursement of the retirement benefits is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2025.”
Captain Alfa also drew attention to the current condition of the affected retirees, many of whom are now above 60 years of age. He described the situation as both urgent and emotional, stressing that time is a critical factor for the aging members.
“Our members have waited patiently for many years. Most of them are senior citizens, and their needs are growing by the day,” he said. “Despite the challenges, we have remained committed to peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue, anchored on trust in the government’s assurances.”
He added that the visible goodwill shown by the current administration has helped to maintain calm among union members, fostering patience and renewed confidence that the issue will soon be conclusively resolved.
In his response, Minister Festus Keyamo thanked the union leadership for the honour and described the award as a strong motivation to see the process through to completion. He assured the retirees that the Federal Government remains committed to implementing the agreed payment schedule without further delays.
The Minister acknowledged the prolonged hardship endured by former Nigeria Airways workers and emphasised that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to correct long-standing injustices.
“This administration understands the pain of waiting for over twenty years,” Keyamo said. “I want to personally reassure you that the relevant ministries are working diligently to ensure that the payments commence as scheduled.”
Reflecting on the broader significance of the breakthrough, the Minister noted that resolving such a long-standing issue within a relatively short period underscores the administration’s people-centred approach to governance.
“If an issue that remained unresolved for over twenty years could witness decisive progress within one year, it clearly shows a government that prioritises the welfare of its people,” he stated. “This is particularly important for citizens who dedicated their productive years to national service. It reflects the character of a listening President who is committed to keeping his promises.”
The visit ended with renewed assurances of collaboration between the union and the government, as both sides expressed confidence that the long-awaited closure to the Nigeria Airways pension saga is now firmly within reach.
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