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The Federal Government has given airlines operating in Nigeria one week to submit realistic debt repayment plans as part of efforts to resolve lingering financial and labour issues in the aviation sector.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, issued the directive during an emergency stakeholders\' meeting held on August 13, 2026, following the suspension of industrial action by aviation unions two days earlier.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, after the meeting involving aviation agencies, airline operators and labour representatives.
Keyamo directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other aviation agencies to work with airlines to develop repayment schedules that reflect the carriers\' operating costs and prevailing economic conditions.
He also instructed Directors of Finance and Accounts in all aviation agencies to meet individually with each airline and agree on workable repayment plans within one week.
The minister said the move is aimed at ensuring outstanding debts are settled without jeopardising the operations of airlines already facing economic challenges.
On the issue of workers\' unionisation, Keyamo reaffirmed that employees have the constitutional right to decide whether to belong to a union without interference from airline management.
He directed the NCAA to immediately grant aviation unions direct access to airline workers solely for the purpose of distributing forms through which employees can freely indicate whether they wish to join a union.
The minister warned that any airline found obstructing the process would face sanctions from the NCAA.
According to him, protecting workers\' rights while maintaining industrial harmony remains a priority for the Federal Government.
The stakeholders also agreed to reconvene in one month to assess progress on the implementation of the resolutions and review the state of affairs in the aviation industry.
The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to address labour concerns, improve financial discipline among airline operators and ensure stability in Nigeria\'s aviation sector.
