Nigeria’s aviation sector may face major disruptions starting today as workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) embark on an indefinite strike over poor wages and the non-implementation of their Conditions of Service (CoS).

The strike, jointly declared by key aviation unions, is expected to ground weather observation and reporting services nationwide operations that are vital to flight safety and scheduling.

NiMet provides critical meteorological data, including weather forecasts, briefings, and updates for airlines, pilots, airports, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs).

Sources revealed that some professional bodies, including ATCs and sister unions, may join the NiMet workers in solidarity, a move that could deepen the crisis and disrupt flight operations across the country.

A circular to all NiMet staff dated October 17, 2025, titled “Non-Implementation of Agreement – Withdrawal of Services,” confirmed that the decision followed repeated but failed attempts to engage the agency’s management on the lingering issues.

The notice was jointly signed by Odinaka Igbokwe, General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Alo Lawrence of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); and Abdulrazaq Saidu of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP). Copies were sent to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike.

“Considering the extremely poor remuneration of NiMet workers compared to their counterparts in other aviation agencies, we are compelled to heed the cries of the workers for relief,” the unions said.

They added that the decision was reached during a joint congress of workers and union leaders on October 16, 2025, in Abuja, directing all staff to withdraw services effective Thursday, October 23, 2025, unless their demands are met.

The unions are demanding the implementation of salary relativity, payment of nine months’ arrears of consequential adjustment, enforcement of the new minimum wage, a 25–35 percent wage award, and peculiar allowances.

Other grievances include non-payment of subsistence benefits, lack of annual staff training, the use of contract staff, and alleged irregular appointments of special advisers and assistants in NiMet. They are also calling for an urgent review of the agency’s salary structure and Conditions of Service.

Although Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had earlier intervened in the matter, leading to an agreement between both parties, the unions allege that nearly a year later, none of the agreed resolutions have been implemented.