NiMet Urges Dialogue Amidst Ongoing Efforts to Address Workers’ Demands
The management of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has responded to a recent threat of industrial action issued by a coalition of aviation unions, calling for dialogue while reaffirming its commitment to resolving all outstanding staff welfare concerns raised by the unions.
In a letter addressed to the General Secretaries of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), NiMet acknowledged receipt of the unions’ letter dated 10 April 2025 concerning the resumption of industrial action.
Signed by Mr Nasiru Sani, Director of Human Resource Management and Administration on behalf of the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, the response emphasised that the management has not been idle in addressing the issues raised in the January 28, 2025 agreement, but has been actively engaging with relevant government agencies to secure approvals and interventions beyond its direct purview.
NiMet dismissed the allegation that all elements of the January agreement remain “agonisingly in abeyance” as unfair, noting that many of the issues required input from other government agencies and were beyond its immediate control.
On the issue of the negotiated Conditions of Service, the agency confirmed that the document had been duly forwarded to the Ministry for processing.
Management expressed dismay at what it termed the unions’ “unbelief attitude”, pointing out that not only was the document untouched, but the Director-General/CEO had enhanced it by adding non-negotiated allowances for the benefit of staff.
It further noted that three copies of the proposed Conditions of Service were delivered to a union executive member on 9 April 2025 for circulation.
Regarding the payment of the 25-35% wage award, the balance of the 2019 minimum wage, and arrears for 30 omitted staff, management explained that these items had been approved by the Director of the Budget Office. However, the release of funds was pending, which lies outside NiMet’s control.
On the controversial salary relativity with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the management disclosed that no official document supporting the Minister’s past directive on adoption of NAMA’s salary structure for NiMet could be traced.
Nevertheless, NiMet revealed that discussions were ongoing with the Honourable Minister, who had shown willingness to improve staff welfare.
NiMet clarified that staff training is a management prerogative and not subject to union coercion. It highlighted that under its “Continuous Staff Training” policy, launched in 2024, all staff would be trained systematically, and approvals had already been secured for the next training batch.
The claim that management was planning a fresh retreat was flatly denied as “unfounded, untrue, and baseless”.
On the matter of the “Peculiar Allowance”, NiMet stated that the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission had informed the agency that it is not eligible due to the approval of other allowances such as Professional, Proficiency, Hazard, and Wardrobe Allowances.
While appreciating the unions’ past cooperation, NiMet cautioned against what it called a hasty mobilisation for strike action, noting that it contravened labour laws that require a minimum seven-day notice.
It warned that the suddenness of the move could be interpreted as sabotage and a disregard for the Honourable Minister’s continuous efforts as well as the President’s agenda for sectoral development and national security.
NiMet addressed the unions’ eight-point demand, which includes:
Implementation of the new minimum wage;
Payment of nine months’ arrears under the 2019 wage act;
Compliance with ministerial directives on service conditions;
Implementation of the reviewed scheme of service since 2019;
Payment of peculiar allowance and wage awards;
Payment of hardship allowance;
Enhanced communication channels;
Other matters including further training and the settlement of 36 months’ arrears for 30 omitted staff.
Management insisted that genuine efforts had been made to resolve these concerns, noting that it had gone as far as securing ministerial approval for the payment of a new subsistence benefit, which was captured in the updated Conditions of Service. The payment, however, awaited final confirmation from the Permanent Secretary.
Despite financial constraints, NiMet recently paid all staff their quarterly Conditions of Service allowance. Additionally, the Director-General secured an upward review of the agency’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) share from aviation regulators including NAMA, NCAA, and FAAN to further boost staff welfare.
Concluding the letter, NiMet reaffirmed its openness to dialogue and called on the unions to return to the negotiation table in order to resolve any lingering misunderstandings.
“Management always is open to dialogue with a view to further emphasising and clarifying perceived grey areas as it intends to always uphold highly harmonious working relationships,” the letter read.
The Director-General’s office extended an invitation to the unions for further engagement, underscoring its desire to maintain peace and productivity within the agency.
