Former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways on Wednesday honoured the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja, for his dedicated advocacy in securing their long-overdue retirement benefits.
The leadership of the union, at a ceremony of appreciation, presented the Minister with a Merit Award in recognition of his outstanding and transformative impact on the Nigerian aviation sector.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister Tunde Moshood in a statement said the union was excited by Keyamo’s role in advancing the finalization of their long-awaited retirement benefits, a push, that directly addresses years of hardship and uncertainty for its members.
“The engagement, marked by a spirit of cooperation, also focused on the welfare of the union’s aging membership and the expedited conclusion of their pension settlement,” the statement said.
Captain Shuaibu Alfa, President of the union, who led the delegation, conveyed deep appreciation of the ex-workers for the Minister’s diligent efforts.
“We took this opportunity to express our most sincere gratitude to the Minister for the support and assistance he has already extended to us. We came to thank him, and by extension, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Captain Alfa stated during the visit.
He highlighted that the Minister’s proactive role had been instrumental in advancing a resolution that had lingered for over two decades.
He said the Minister’s intervention has helped chart a clear course for resolution.
“Following the liquidation of Nigeria Airways on 30 September 2004, the process for final pension benefits saw decisive progress this year. After approvals were conveyed from the Ministry of Finance in June 2025, a tripartite meeting in August between the Ministries of Finance, Aviation, and the union leadership yielded a clear payment schedule, with distributions slated to commence in the last quarter of 2025”, he explained.
Captain Alfa, while acknowledging the heartfelt sympathy shown by the administration, presented the current circumstances of the retirees, most of whom are above the age of sixty. He emphasised the union’s continued advocacy for the well-being of its members and its commitment to peaceful dialogue.
“Our dialogue remains rooted in hope and trust in the government’s continued commitment to resolving this important matter,” he affirmed.
The union president also commended the collective restraint of the members, noting that the government’s demonstrable goodwill had fostered a climate of patience and optimism.
In his remark, the Minister thanked the leadership of the union for the recognition and assured them
that the administration of President Tinubu remains fully committed to honouring the agreed-upon schedule.
He acknowledged the long wait endured by the pensioners and gave his personal reassurance that the relevant ministries are working diligently to ensure the payments commence without further delay.
Reflecting on the breakthrough, the Minister said, “If this administration could make progress on a matter unresolved for over twenty years within a year, it clearly demonstrates a government that prioritises the welfare of its people.
“This is especially true for citizens who dedicated their youth to national service. This outcome reflects the character of a listening President who is firmly committed to fulfilling his promises.”
