Investigation Reveals Missing Presidential Approval Behind Delay in N36bn Nigeria Airways Ex-Workers’ Entitlements
Former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways have uncovered what they describe as the principal reason for the prolonged delay in the payment of the Federal Government-approved N36 billion final tranche of their entitlements, saying a missing Presidential Approval document has stalled the release of the funds for more than a year.
The revelation emerged from a fact-finding mission undertaken by a delegation of Concerned Elders representing ex-workers and pensioners of the former national carrier.
The delegation said its findings indicate that the payment process remains active within government, but cannot be concluded until the required Presidential Approval is located or a fresh authorisation is secured.
The four-member team, comprising Alhaji Ore Salako, Engr. Ayuba Kyari, Capt. Prex Porbeni and Mr. Chris Aligbe, travelled to Abuja on June 16, 2026, to obtain first-hand information from the ministries and government agencies responsible for processing the payment.
According to the delegation, the visit was prompted by growing frustration among former employees following the Federal Government’s approval of the final N36 billion tranche of their severance benefits in June 2025.
Despite the approval, beneficiaries have yet to receive payment, with many expressing concern over the prolonged silence surrounding the exercise.
The delegation explained that the objective of the mission was to establish the exact status of the payment process, identify the reasons for the delay and determine the practical steps required to ensure that the approved funds are eventually released.
The first engagement was at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, where members had intended to meet the Minister. However, the Minister was out of Abuja, while the Permanent Secretary was also away on official assignment.
The delegation was instead received by the Director of Aerodrome Development, who represented the Permanent Secretary.
While the director was unable to provide detailed information regarding the outstanding payment, he assured the delegation that their concerns would be conveyed to the Ministry’s leadership.
The most significant breakthrough came during meetings at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
There, the delegation met Mr. John Waitono, an official responsible for matters relating to the Nigeria Airways workers’ entitlements.
During discussions, he reportedly disclosed that when the current Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy assumed office and initiated steps to process payment of the approved N36 billion, officials discovered that the Presidential Approval authorising the release of the money could not be found among the relevant government records.
The delegation said this discovery explained why the payment had remained stalled despite government approval.
Seeking further clarification, the representatives also held discussions with Barrister Nwachukwu Okafor, himself a former Nigeria Airways employee, who facilitated a meeting with the Technical Adviser to the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akor Abbah.
During the meeting held on June 17, Mr. Abbah reportedly confirmed that the missing Presidential Approval document remained the single biggest obstacle delaying payment.
He explained that although the entitlement process had not been abandoned, government officials were unable to complete payment without the approval.
According to the delegation, Mr. Abbah contacted the Director of the Cash Office in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation while they were present.
The official reportedly confirmed that the missing Presidential Approval remained the essential requirement before any disbursement could take place.
The Director also informed the delegation that efforts were ongoing to make funds available once the approval issue was resolved.
In another call placed on speakerphone, the Director of PICA also reportedly affirmed that the inability to locate the Presidential Approval was the principal challenge preventing the release of the entitlement.
Officials explained that because the approved amount exceeds the financial approval threshold of the Minister of Finance, the matter may have to be returned to the President for fresh approval should the original document remain untraceable.
The Technical Adviser therefore encouraged the delegation to assist in locating certified copies of the approval that might exist within the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development or other government institutions.
He also assured the former workers that he would continue to support efforts aimed at resolving the administrative bottleneck.
As part of its advocacy, the delegation submitted separate letters to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on June 18, appealing for their direct intervention to accelerate the resolution of the matter.
The letters urged both ministers to facilitate the completion of the payment process and ensure that former Nigeria Airways employees finally receive their outstanding entitlements after years of waiting.
Following its engagements, the delegation concluded that it had achieved its primary objective of uncovering the reason behind the delay.
According to the report, officials from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and PICA all independently confirmed that the absence of the Presidential Approval document – not a shortage of funds – was the principal factor preventing payment.
The Concerned Elders said the findings had replaced uncertainty with clarity and provided a practical direction for future engagements with government.
The delegation expressed gratitude to former colleagues, supporters and donors who contributed to the success of the Abuja mission and earlier media awareness campaign.
Special appreciation was extended to the Chairman of ValueJet Airline, Hon. Kunle Soname, whose provision of flight tickets enabled the delegation to travel to Abuja.
The group also commended Mrs. Bose Oluwo, members of the administrative team and Barrister Nwachukwu Okafor for coordinating meetings, facilitating contacts within government and supporting the overall strategy that enabled the mission to achieve its objectives.
The delegation outlined a number of immediate follow-up actions, including intensified efforts to locate the missing Presidential Approval, continued engagement with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Ministry of Finance, PICA and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and sustained advocacy with senior government officials.
It also disclosed that one member of the delegation would return to Abuja to continue discussions with relevant authorities and follow up on the intervention letters submitted to both ministers.
The Concerned Elders reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing every lawful avenue to secure payment of the outstanding entitlements, stressing that thousands of former Nigeria Airways employees and pensioners have continued to endure severe financial hardship while waiting for benefits they described as long overdue.
They expressed optimism that now the major obstacle has been identified, the necessary administrative steps can be taken to conclude the process and bring an end to one of the longest-running compensation issues affecting former public sector workers in Nigeria.
