In a move that could ground flight operations and other activities, aviation unions in Nigeria have concluded plans to shut down the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and other airports across the country from Monday, April 17th, 2023.
The development follows a notice earlier issued by the unions’ aviation workers nationwide to embark on a two-day warning strike between Monday and Tuesday to press home their demands, which include the implementation of the new salary structure.
The unions are also calling on the government to prevail on the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to rescind his decision to demolish the Lagos head offices of the aviation agencies. According to a circular issued by the unions over the weekend, they vowed to embark on a full-fledged strike if their demands are not met after the expiration of the two-day warning strike on Tuesday.
Despite efforts by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, to persuade the unions at a meeting he held with them in Abuja, the unions remained adamant.
A union member who spoke to the media revealed that the planned shutdown of activities at the airport would be the first of its kind, with no one allowed access to the airport.
To show their readiness, the unions held a meeting jointly at the Lagos airport, which lasted until after 10 pm on Sunday, and resolved to sleep at the airport to effect the shutdown from the midnight of Monday.
The government’s decision to invite the unions to a crucial meeting was borne out of the threat from foreign airlines to suspend flights into the country until the stalemate is addressed.
During the warning strikes, all offices of the agencies will be put under lock and keys, while allied businesses will be affected. This move by the aviation unions could have significant economic implications for the country, and it is hoped that a resolution will be reached soon to prevent the disruption of flight operations and other activities at the airports.