In a proactive move to forestall a looming industrial action, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has held a series of engagements with key representatives of organised labour, including the general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the general secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and the secretary-general of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
These deliberations followed a letter dated April 10, 2025, in which the unions expressed dissatisfaction with the state of agreements previously reached and threatened to resume industrial action if their concerns were not addressed.
Responding on behalf of the agency, the director of human resource management and administration, Dr. Nasiru Sani described the letter as unfair and demeaning. He clarified the agency’s position on each of the issues raised and outlined the steps already taken to address the unions’ grievances, urging patience and continued dialogue.
On the Agreement/Communiqué of January 28, 2025, Sani emphasised that it was misleading to suggest that none of the resolutions reached in the January 28 agreement had been implemented. According to him, many of the concerns raised by the unions were beyond the agency’s direct authority and required the intervention of other government bodies. He maintained that NiMet management had actively engaged with relevant ministries and agencies and was awaiting further responses or approvals.
While acknowledging the unions’ recognition that the updated Conditions of Service had been submitted to the Ministry for processing, Sani took issue with what he described as the unions’ “unbelieving attitude.” He called it disrespectful to insinuate that the document might have been tampered with. He stressed that the director-general/chief executive had added additional allowances to enhance the document, demonstrating management’s goodwill.
He further disclosed that three copies of the document had been handed over to a national executive member of the unions on April 9, 2025, for onward distribution.
Regarding the 25–35 per cent wage award, the outstanding one-month balance of the 2019 minimum wage, and the case of 30 staff whose names were omitted from that payment, Sani explained that these issues had progressed to the final stage of approval. The director of the budget office had given the green light and payment was now pending the availability of funds – a factor outside NiMet’s control.
Sani addressed the call to adopt the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) salary structure, noting that there was no official document or ministerial directive to that effect. Both management and union representatives had been unable to locate such a record. Nonetheless, NiMet had written to relevant government agencies and received a positive response from the minister, who expressed willingness to enhance the welfare of NiMet staff.
Sani reaffirmed that staff training is the sole responsibility of management and not to be driven by union coercion. He pointed out that before the current management assumed office, many employees had gone years without any training. To reverse this trend, a structured, inclusive training programme was introduced in 2024 under the banner of “Continuous Staff Training.” He added that additional training for staff on various salary grades had already been approved and scheduled.
He dismissed as baseless the allegation that management was planning a new retreat, stating categorically that no such proposal existed.
Addressing the union’s demand for the Peculiar Allowance, Sani said the Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission had explicitly stated that NiMet was not eligible for it, having already been granted other allowances. These include the professional allowance, proficiency allowance, hazard allowance, and wardrobe allowance – all of which had been approved to enhance staff welfare.
Sani reiterated that management had always remained committed to implementing the agreements reached with the unions. While acknowledging the unions’ role in preventing a full-blown crisis, he urged them to recognise management’s limitations, particularly in matters requiring external approval and its consistent efforts to advocate for staff welfare.
He cautioned against the hasty decision by the unions to begin mobilisation for industrial action without the legally required seven-day notice, describing it as a breach of established labour law. He also warned of the potential security implications of such a move, highlighting its possible impact on the minister’s ongoing efforts to resolve NiMet’s historical challenges and on the broader national agenda of the Federal Government.
Sani acknowledged receipt of the unions’ eight key demands, which include: Non-implementation of the new national minimum wage; Non-payment of nine months’ arrears following the 2019 minimum wage adjustments; Lack of compliance with the Ministerial directive to review Conditions of Service; Delay in implementing the revised Scheme of Service since 2019; Non-payment of the Peculiar Allowance and Wage Award; Non-payment of the Hardship Allowance; Poor communication between staff and management; A general demand for improved economic support measures, continuation of staff training, and settlement of outstanding arrears for 30 staff excluded from earlier payments.
According to him, management had already addressed most of these issues in good faith and believed that the recent threats indicated there might be hidden motives beyond the stated grievances.
As a testament to management’s goodwill, Sani disclosed that the director-general had initiated and secured ministerial approval for the Subsistence Benefit – a new welfare initiative aimed at cushioning economic hardship among staff. While awaiting a final clearance from the ministry confirming NiMet’s ability to disburse the funds, management had already included the benefit in the revised Conditions of Service.
Moreover, the director-general approved and paid the quarterly Conditions of Service Allowance to all staff, despite the agency’s ongoing financial constraints.
In a strategic effort to boost staff welfare, Sani revealed that management had also secured approval from the minister for an upward review of NiMet’s internally generated revenue (IGR) from agencies such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This move is expected to significantly improve NiMet’s capacity to meet its financial obligations and enhance staff welfare.
Sani concluded by reaffirming NiMet’s openness to dialogue, stressing the importance of continued collaboration to resolve outstanding issues. He urged the unions to focus on building a sustainable and harmonious working relationship for the benefit of all parties and the agency at large.
