The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is bracing for an indefinite strike set to commence on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, as a coalition of aviation unions accuses the agency’s management of failing to honour a collective bargaining agreement and address long-standing remuneration issues. The impending strike, which threatens to disrupt critical weather forecasting services across the country, stems from what union leaders describe as a breach of trust and a blatant disregard for the welfare of NiMet workers. The core issue revolves around a protracted dispute over inadequate pay and unresolved entitlements, with unions asserting that their members are facing “extreme poverty and consequent untold hardship” due to the agency’s failure to implement agreed-upon salary adjustments and allowances.
The strike action, spearheaded by the Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical, and Recreational Services Employees, follows months of unsuccessful negotiations and a recently expired ultimatum issued to NiMet management. The unions contend that they have exhausted all avenues for amicable resolution, leaving them with no option but to resume a previously suspended strike. Their primary grievance centers on the alleged non-implementation of a partial agreement reached on January 28, 2025, which was intended to provide some relief to workers grappling with inadequate compensation. The unions accuse management of consistently failing to uphold its commitments, leading to a deepening sense of frustration and disillusionment among NiMet staff.
The unions’ letter announcing the strike underscores the severity of the situation, highlighting the “huge disparity in remunerations” between NiMet workers and their counterparts in the industry. This disparity, they argue, has become unsustainable and has forced their hand in resorting to industrial action. The directive to withdraw all services indefinitely reflects the unions’ determination to press for their demands and secure a fair resolution to the longstanding pay dispute. The call for solidarity from other aviation workers further underscores the gravity of the situation and suggests a potential widening of the industrial action if NiMet management fails to address the unions’ concerns promptly.
Beyond the immediate issue of remuneration, the unions have also raised concerns about a range of unresolved entitlements, including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments stemming from the 2019 minimum wage. They have also accused management of withholding crucial documents, ignoring requests to include omitted staff in previous payments, and prioritizing executive retreats over essential training programs for employees. These allegations paint a picture of systemic neglect and disregard for the welfare of NiMet workers, further exacerbating the tensions between the unions and the agency’s leadership.
The looming strike has raised questions about the agency’s preparedness to handle the potential disruption to its operations. NiMet’s spokesperson, Muntari Yusuf, expressed surprise at the planned strike, claiming to have received no official communication on the matter. This apparent lack of awareness within the agency’s management raises concerns about internal communication channels and the potential for further misunderstandings and delays in resolving the dispute. The absence of an official response from NiMet at the time of reporting further contributes to the uncertainty surrounding the situation and underscores the urgent need for clear communication and decisive action to avert a prolonged disruption to essential weather services.
The indefinite strike by NiMet workers represents a significant challenge for the agency and raises broader questions about the state of labor relations within the Nigerian aviation sector. The unions’ decision to resort to industrial action reflects a deep-seated frustration with management’s handling of long-standing grievances and a growing sense of urgency to address the issue of inadequate remuneration and unresolved entitlements. The success of the strike and the eventual resolution of the dispute will likely depend on the willingness of both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and find common ground to address the concerns of NiMet workers and ensure the continued provision of critical weather services to the nation. The potential consequences of a prolonged disruption to these services underscore the importance of finding a swift and equitable resolution to the ongoing impasse.
