The Joint Aviation Trade Unions’ Forum (JATUF) has warned that poor welfare conditions for aviation workers pose a serious safety and security risk to Nigeria’s aviation sector, urging the government to urgently prioritise workers’ pay, entitlements and conditions of service.
JATUF Chairman, Comrade Ben Nnabue, sounded the warning on Friday in Lagos at the third edition of the Aviation Unions Leadership Conference, themed “Safe Landing, Strong Leadership: Prioritising Workers’ Safety and Welfare in the Aviation Sector.”
Nnabue described inadequate remuneration and denial of workers’ entitlements as direct threats to aviation safety, stressing that the wellbeing of workers is inseparable from the safety of passengers and cargo.
“A hungry man is an angry man. Welfare in aviation is not just a social issue; it is a security and safety issue. When workers are poorly paid, you cannot guarantee the safety of passengers and goods,” he said.
He noted that internationally recognised standards require all labour issues to be fully resolved before airport concessions can proceed, explaining that unresolved concerns have stalled the process in Nigeria.
“The unions are not opposed to concession in principle, but the government must respect its own laws. Rushing the process without resolving labour issues will only fuel fear among workers and could repeat the sad experience of Nigerian Airways, where staff entitlements were neglected for decades,” Nnabue warned.
On the long-delayed severance packages for staff of the defunct Nigerian Airways, Nnabue said all necessary approvals had been granted by the Federal Government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, but appealed for speedy release of the remaining funds.
“Those of us still in service are worried that what happened to them could happen to us. We appeal directly to the Minister of Finance to expedite the payment, as the total liability continues to grow in line with pension laws,” he said.
Also speaking, JATUF Forum Secretary, Comrade Hector Nnamdi, said aviation safety cannot be achieved without motivated and fairly treated workers.
“There is no safe sky without happy workers. Worker welfare is now a non-negotiable component of air safety. Anything that affects workers also mortgages the safety of the skies,” he said.
Nnamdi urged the government to urgently approve and implement Conditions of Service across all aviation agencies, increase allowances and benefits, and address the rising cost of living to boost workers’ morale and productivity.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Yakunu Kofarmata, the Director of Human Resources and Management, Mr Sani Torankawa, said the conference theme underscored the critical role of safety, leadership and workers’ welfare in a rapidly evolving aviation ecosystem.
“These elements drive growth, expansion and development in any competitive business environment and form the backbone of the ministerial mandate and agency operations,” he said.
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An air transport specialist, Dr Richard Aisuebeogun, called for stronger labour–management synergy, sustained dialogue and continuous improvement in labour strategies, describing collaboration as essential to securing Nigeria’s future aviation leadership.
JATUF is a coalition of various aviation unions across the sector.
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