The unions had in a letter dated April 10, 2025, accused NiMet’s management of failing to implement critical components of the January 28, 2025 agreement thereby threatening to commence industrial action to press home their demands.
But responding NiMet, through its Director of Human Resource Management & Administration, Dr. Nasiru Sani, disctibed unions’ claims as “unfair” and “demeaning.”
He recalled that on the January 28 Agreement, Management had maintained that while the union’s concerns are valid, many of the issues raised required inter-agency cooperation.
Consequently, Dr. Sani, noted that NiMet has engaged relevant government agencies and is now awaiting responses or approvals on several matters.
On the issue raised over Conditions of Service, NiMet said it had already forwarded the documents to the Ministry and even enhanced the terms by including additional allowances. Nimet condemned the union’s “unbelief attitude” regarding the integrity of the negotiated Conditions of Service.
On pending wage awards and payments, Nimet noted that on the 25–35% wage award, the balance of the 2019 minimum wage, and omission of 30 staff from that payment, all necessary approvals have been obtained and that fund release is being awaited from the appropriate authorities.
On matter of salary relativity dispute in which the union’s reference to a directive to adopt the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) salary structure, Nimet said the demand is not supported by any verifiable document.
However, Dr. Sani maintained that NiMet has engaged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who expressed desires improve the staff welfare.
Dr. Sani also responded to issue raised on staff training, saying that Management stressed that it initiated a structured and inclusive staff training programme in 2024—tagged “Continuous Staff Training" as parts of efforts to ensure no employee is left out in the staff training initiative.
Also, on quarterly conditions of service allowance, Nimet explained that inspite of financial constraints, the Director-General had recently approved and paid the quarterly allowance to all staff as a gesture of goodwill to the unions.
Also, on revenue drive and ministerial support, Dr. Saani NiMet disclosed that Nimet had obtained approval for an upward review of its internally generated revenue (IGR) share from NAMA, NCAA, and FAAN, to boost staff welfare initiatives.
In the face of the impending strike action being threatened, Dr. NiMet's.reaffirmed preference to dialogue over confrontation.
NiMet has therefore invited the unions to another round of discussions to clarify lingering concerns and prevent the breakdown of industrial harmony.
In conclusion, Dr. Sani reiterated NiMet’s management's high regard for its workforce. “We are always open to dialogue,” the statement noted..