By Nigeria Airways ex-staff still await ₦36 billion severance payments over 20 years after collapse.
More than two decades after the airline’s collapse, Nigeria Airways ex-staff are still waiting for their long-promised severance payments, with approximately ₦36 billion (around $26 million) in outstanding benefits yet to be fully disbursed. Despite government approvals in 2025, thousands of former employees continue to face hardship, as delays have affected their ability to meet basic needs such as healthcare and housing.
Ex-staff of the defunct airline are demanding the immediate disbursement of approximately ₦36 billion (around $26 million) in outstanding benefits, despite multiple government approvals over the years.
The airline ceased operations in 2003 and was formally liquidated in 2004, leaving thousands of employees without full compensation.
Payments approved but not fully released
While successive administrations have acknowledged the issue, progress has remained slow.
In 2025, the Nigerian government approved the settlement of the remaining entitlements, raising hopes among former employees. However, months later, the funds have yet to be fully disbursed. Worker representatives say the delay has prolonged hardship for many retirees, some of whom have reportedly passed away without receiving their dues.
The dispute over unpaid benefits has spanned multiple decades, with unions and former staff repeatedly staging protests and lobbying authorities for action.
Partial payments have been made in the past, but a significant portion of the compensation remains outstanding.
The situation highlights broader challenges associated with the closure of state-owned airlines, where financial obligations often extend far beyond the airline’s operational life.
Human Impact
For many affected workers, the issue is more than financial.
Former employees argue that the delayed payments have impacted their ability to meet basic needs, including healthcare and housing, underscoring the social consequences of unresolved labour obligations.
More than two decades after Nigeria Airways shut down, the case remains a reminder that the effects of airline collapses can persist long after operations end.
The resolution of these payments is seen as a critical step toward closing one of Africa’s longest-running aviation labour disputes.
