FG settles decades-old severance pay for former Nigeria Airways workers
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Federal Republic of Nigeria, Taiwo Oyedele
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Government has completed payment of outstanding severance benefits to 2,100 former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.
According to a press release from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the payments cover beneficiaries in Batches 1 to 7.
Batches 8 and 9, involving 600 additional beneficiaries, are being finalised and are expected to be paid within days.
This brings the total number of former workers covered to 2,700, with benefits amounting to ₦18 billion across the nine batches.
“Behind these figures are people and families who have waited for years to receive what is legitimately due to them.
“Our responsibility is to confront outstanding obligations, complete the necessary processes and, once the resources are secured, ensure that the people affected feel the impact of government positively,” said Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved the settlement of the long-standing obligations.
The ministry noted that the process involved extensive verification of records, including biometric capture, to ensure funds reach the rightful beneficiaries.
A second-phase “mop-up” exercise is planned for late September or early October to address remaining cases.
The ministry also acknowledged the collaboration of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the oversight role of the National Assembly Joint Committees on Aviation in advancing the resolution.
