Nigeria’s aviation sector may face major operational setbacks as three leading unions have issued a joint ultimatum demanding the immediate removal of a customs officer allegedly responsible for assaulting a senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) have declared their intention to withdraw services from all Nigerian airports effective March 31, 2025, if decisive action is not taken.
In a joint statement signed by union leaders Ocheme Aba, Frances Akinjole, and Abdul Rasaq Saidu, the unions condemned what they described as persistent acts of aggression against FAAN personnel by security agencies with the most recent involving a physical altercation between a customs officer and FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security.
The unions expressed frustration over the frequency of such incidents, stating that the lack of accountability continues to undermine the safety and dignity of airport staff.
They said there is an urgent need for a structured protocol that defines the boundaries of engagement among all security operatives within Nigeria’s airport facilities.
“Our position is clear,” the statement read. “There must be consequences for actions that endanger the physical and psychological well-being of aviation workers. This is not an isolated case. It is a disturbing pattern.”
As part of their demands, the unions called for the immediate reduction in the number of customs officers operating at civil airports across the country.
They argued that international best practices dictate a limited customs presence in non-border airport zones, adding that over-deployment contributes to unnecessary tensions and interference in airport operations.
The unions maintained that unless new frameworks are introduced to guarantee the safety and human rights of FAAN personnel, all affiliated workers would be directed to withdraw their services at all airports nationwide.
The threat of a nationwide airport shutdown raises concerns over flight disruptions, cargo handling delays, and broader logistical challenges in both domestic and international aviation operations.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, attributed the clash to a misunderstanding over operational logistics, including equipment movement and space allocation within the airport premises.
The agency has yet to issue any indication that disciplinary steps will be taken against the officer in question.
As the March 31 deadline approaches, stakeholders across the aviation value chain are urging government intervention to avert service disruptions that could have significant economic implications for Nigeria’s air travel and freight sectors.
Industry observers warn that failure to resolve the crisis could trigger cascading effects across airlines, concessionaires, logistics providers, and passenger movement.
