FG pays N4.25bn to 600 ex-Nigeria Airways workers

The Federal Government has paid N4.25 billion in unpaid pension and severance benefits to 600 more former workers of the now-defunct Nigeria Airways Limited. This brings the total number of people paid to 3,300.

This recent payment covers the 10th and 11th groups of beneficiaries. The Federal Ministry of Finance shared this information in a statement on Tuesday.

Efe Ovuakporie, the ministry’s Head of Media, said this payment is part of the government's plan to clear old debts owed to former staff of the national airline.

"The Federal Government has paid N4.25 billion in unpaid pension and severance benefits to an additional 600 beneficiaries of Nigeria Airways Limited, bringing the total number of beneficiaries paid across 11 batches to 3,300," the statement said.

The ministry noted that the first nine batches accounted for 2,700 beneficiaries. The new payment adds another 600 people eligible for funds.

With this latest payment, the total amount paid so far is N22.25 billion. This includes the N18 billion announced earlier for 2,700 beneficiaries plus the extra N4.25 billion.

But the ministry did not reveal the total amount paid across all batches in this latest update. They also did not mention how much is still owed to former staff and their families.

In January 2025, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation reported that the Federal Government owed former Nigeria Airways workers N36 billion. The lawmakers threatened to block the aviation ministry’s budget approval unless the government paid these debts.

At that time, lawmakers mentioned that some former workers had died waiting for their payments, while others were struggling financially.

In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Federal Government had started paying N18 billion in unpaid severance benefits to 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers. This came more than 20 years after the airline stopped operating.

The government stated that it had paid 2,100 former workers in the first seven batches. Another 600 beneficiaries were still being processed for payment. The nine batches were meant to cover 2,700 people, with benefits totaling N18 billion.

Nigeria Airways was established in 1958 but stopped operations in 2003 and was liquidated in 2004. Its closure left many pension and severance issues unresolved. This has led to years of demands from former workers and their families for their payments.

The issue has persisted through different governments.

The Ministry of Finance mentioned that they are still verifying claims from the next of kin of deceased former Nigeria Airways workers.

The ministry explained that this process aims to confirm eligibility and match claims with approved records before payments are made.

"The Ministry will continue to process verified claims according to proper procedures, ensuring that payments go to eligible beneficiaries," the statement said.

The ministry added that this latest payment should provide some financial relief to former workers who have waited years for their dues and will help clear verified outstanding claims.