By Ammar M. Rajab A coalition of unions representing workers at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to...
By Ammar M. Rajab
A coalition of unions representing workers at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the agency’s management, demanding the resolution of unresolved welfare issues.
This move comes amidst mounting frustration over salary disparities and neglected staff benefits, which workers say are demoralizing and threaten the critical role NiMet plays in aviation safety and national security.
In a formal letter addressed to NiMet’s Director General/CEO, the unions—including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP)—highlighted key grievances. These include the non-implementation of a new minimum wage, non-payment of nine months’ arrears under the 2019 Minimum Wage Act, and the delay in transitioning from the CONMETSS salary structure.
Adding to the tension, workers recently submitted a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, and the Secretary to the Federal Government, calling attention to a glaring salary disparity.
They revealed that NiMet staff earn significantly less than their counterparts in agencies like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
“Our counterparts in other aviation agencies earn more than twice what NiMet staff on the same grade levels receive. This disparity is not only unfair but also undermines the critical role we play in ensuring aviation safety,” the workers wrote.
A source close to the agency disclosed that other agencies have begun receiving additional benefits in 2025, such as clothing allowances, further widening the gap. "Despite our vital contributions, NiMet staff continue to work under financial strain. This disparity affects morale and could compromise the efficiency of our operations," the source said.
The unions' letter, dated January 21, 2025, and received by NiMet management, warned that if their demands were not addressed by February 4, workers would withdraw their services. This date coincides with the planned release of NiMet’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), a critical annual event highlighting weather forecasts essential for various sectors.
Speaking on the SCP’s importance, NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, stated, “Accurate weather intelligence is the backbone of safe aviation operations and many other sectors. The SCP provides essential information to support agriculture, disaster risk management, health, transportation, and more.”
However, union leaders argue that without fair compensation and improved welfare, the efficiency and reliability of these essential services could be at risk. "Every aircraft that takes off and lands safely does so because of our work. It's time NiMet management and the government recognized that with fair treatment and adequate pay,” said a representative of NUATE.
As NiMet prepares for the SCP launch, workers are standing firm on their ultimatum. They demand action not only to resolve immediate issues but also to address the broader disparity in salaries and benefits.
The coming weeks will determine whether the management acts to avert a strike, which could disrupt critical services and impact aviation safety across the nation.
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