Nigerian aviation workers decry inflation, casualisation, warn of safety risks

By: Amarachi Okonkwo 

Aviation workers in Nigeria have raised fresh concerns over worsening economic conditions, mounting inflation, and the growing use of contract labour in the sector, warning that the combined pressures are eroding worker welfare and could undermine operational safety.

The concerns were voiced on Thursday during celebrations marking International Workers’ Day, where unions representing aviation employees called for urgent reforms to stabilise the industry and protect workers.

Speaking at the event, President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Ogbe John, said aviation workers are increasingly strained by economic hardship, even as they continue to sustain critical operations across the country’s airports.

“From the runway to the terminal, aviation workers remain the backbone of this industry,” he said. “When passengers sleep on aircraft, air traffic controllers are awake. When families reunite at arrivals, it is because multiple layers of workers have done their jobs.”

Despite their central role, John noted that real wages have failed to keep pace with Nigeria’s rising cost of living, leaving many workers financially stretched.

“Our naira is still weak. Food prices rise daily, but salaries remain grounded. Aviation professionals are suffering in silence,” he said, calling for a living wage that reflects both inflationary realities and the risks associated with aviation work.

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Casual labour, safety concerns

A key issue highlighted by the union is the increasing reliance on contract and casual labour across the aviation value chain—a trend John described as a direct threat to safety standards.

“The airport should not be a testing ground for casual labour practices,” he said. “If there must be safety in the skies, there must be dignity in labour.”

Industry analysts note that aviation is a highly safety-sensitive sector requiring skilled, experienced, and consistently trained personnel conditions that may be compromised under precarious employment arrangements.

Jet fuel crisis deepens strain

The union also warned that persistent challenges around the cost and availability of Jet-A1 fuel continue to weigh heavily on airlines and the broader aviation ecosystem.

Nigeria has faced recurring spikes in aviation fuel prices, driven by foreign exchange volatility, supply constraints, and global geopolitical tensions. Operators say these pressures have significantly increased operating costs, often leading to higher ticket prices and reduced flight frequencies.

John urged the Federal Government to coordinate a more credible and sustainable intervention framework to stabilise fuel supply and pricing.

“Aviation must not become an endangered species in our economy,” he said.

Nigeria Airways retirees still unpaid

The ATSSSAN president further criticised delays in disbursing entitlements to former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways, despite government approval of N36 billion for settlement.

According to him, prolonged bureaucratic bottlenecks have left many retirees in distress, with some dying before receiving their benefits.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure immediate implementation of the approved payments,” he said.

Pushback on anti-union practices

The union also raised concerns about resistance to unionisation within parts of the aviation industry, insisting that workers’ rights to organise must be upheld.

“Unionisation is not a privilege; it is a constitutional right,” John said, warning that the association would challenge any violations.

ANAP questions policy responses

Similarly, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals expressed reservations about recent government interventions, arguing that they fall short of addressing the sector’s structural challenges.

The Federal Government had recently approved a 30 per cent reduction in taxes owed by airlines to aviation agencies, following industry complaints over surging fuel costs. The policy was announced by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.

While acknowledging the move, ANAP described it as insufficient.

“We consider the debt relief as a mere scratch on the surface,” the association said, noting that deeper financial and operational reforms are required to stabilise airlines and support infrastructure development.

The union also reiterated concerns over ongoing airport concession plans, warning that such arrangements must balance efficiency goals with worker protection and national economic interests.

Call for coordinated reforms

Both unions called for broader stakeholder engagement to address the sector’s challenges, including inflationary pressures, funding constraints, labour practices, and infrastructure deficits.

Analysts say Nigeria’s aviation sector sits at a critical juncture, as operators contend with macroeconomic instability, currency volatility, and rising input costs, while demand for air travel continues to grow.

Without coordinated reforms, industry players warn that the combined pressures could weaken service delivery, increase safety risks, and slow the sector’s long-term growth trajectory.

“We invite all stakeholders to the table,” ANAP said. “Only through honest dialogue and cooperation can the obstacles to aviation growth be overcome.”