Some workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have submitted a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Aviation ...
Some workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have submitted a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, and the Secretary to the Federal Government over a significant salary disparity between NiMet staff and their counterparts in 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).
The workers pointed out that employees of these agencies earn more than twice the salaries of NiMet staff on the same grade levels.
A source close to the agency revealed to Aviation Metric that, in addition to the salary gap, employees of other agencies have begun receiving numerous benefits in 2025, including clothing allowances. The workers lamented that this disparity is not only demoralizing but also undermines the critical role NiMet plays in ensuring aviation safety and national security.
They emphasized that accurate and timely meteorological information is the backbone of safe aviation operations, noting that without precise weather reports, air navigation becomes significantly compromised, increasing the risk of flight disruptions, incidents, and potential national security threats.
"Every aircraft that takes off and lands safely does so based on the reliability of our weather intelligence. Despite the vital nature of our work, NiMet staff continue to face economic hardship due to inadequate remuneration," the workers stated.
The reality of staff working under financial strain is concerning, they said, as it could negatively impact overall efficiency and safety in the aviation sector. They called for urgent action to ensure fair compensation that reflects the importance of their responsibilities.
“We urge the leadership to address this pressing issue and advocate for a just resolution. Ensuring the well-being of NiMet staff is not only a matter of fairness but also a critical investment in national safety and security,” the workers concluded.
Meanwhile, the agency has announced plans to release the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on February 4. This year’s theme, “The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” highlights the importance of proactive measures in mitigating climate impacts.
NiMet publishes its annual predictions for climatic variables, including rainfall and temperature patterns, during the first quarter of the year. This initiative aligns with its mandate to provide critical guidance to the government and the public on weather, climate, and water-related matters.
According to the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, “The Seasonal Climate Prediction provides essential weather and climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in various sectors, including agriculture, aviation, disaster risk management, health, oil and gas, telecommunications, tourism, transportation (land and water), power (hydro and renewable), water resources management, and more."
He added, “The socioeconomic implications of the expected rainfall and temperature patterns for some sectors of the economy are also presented in the publication.”
The SCP document includes forecast information such as the onset and cessation dates of the 2025 rainy season, the length of the cropping season, the total rainfall expected in each of the 774 Local Government Areas across the country, temperature projections for January through May, and malaria and meningitis vigilance forecasts.
The Seasonal Climate Prediction is a national document, and its public presentation attracts guests from both the public and private sectors, development partners, non-governmental organizations, the diplomatic community, farmers' associations, and more.
Keyamo will present the publication, along with its summary for policymakers and translations in three major Nigerian languages, as well as the State of the Climate in Nigeria.
No comments