NiMet workers begin Indefinite strike Over Poor Pay

Workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have declared an indefinite strike over what they described as poor wages and the non-implementation of their Conditions of Service (CoS).

The industrial action, jointly declared by aviation unions, is expected to cripple weather observation and reporting services crucial to flight operations across Nigeria.

NiMet provides real-time weather information, forecasts, and meteorological briefings for pilots, airlines, airports, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs), services regarded as critical to aviation safety.

The latest development comes months after aviation unions suspended an earlier strike in April 2025, following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

However, the workers are set to resume the industrial action on Thursday, warning that professional associations such as Air Traffic Controllers and other aviation unions may join in solidarity.

A notice titled “Non-Implementation of Agreement, Withdrawal of Services” dated October 17, 2025, and obtained by The PUNCH, showed that the strike followed several unheeded appeals to NiMet management.

The letter, jointly signed by Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe (General Secretary, NUATE), Comrade Alo Lawrence (AUPCTRE), and Comrade Abdulrazaq Saidu (ANAP), said the workers were left with no option but to withdraw their services.

“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 stated.

“This decision was taken at the joint congress of workers held with the national secretaries of the unions on October 16, 2025, in Abuja. Accordingly, all NiMet workers are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective Thursday, October 23, 2025, unless otherwise directed by the unions following an amicable resolution of the issues.”

9news Nigeria understands that with the planned shutdown, flight scheduling, navigation, and safety operations could face major disruptions nationwide, as aviation weather reports are mandatory for both domestic and international flights.

NiMet workers had been “shortchanged for years”, despite performing duties vital to airspace safety. They accused the management of failing to honour previous agreements, including the harmonisation of salaries with other aviation parastatals.