NiMet LOGO

The strike action by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has been officially called off following the intervention of the Federal Government. The strike, which entered its second day on Thursday, had severely disrupted flight operations nationwide, grounding several local flights and leaving passengers stranded at airports in Abuja, Lagos, and other cities.

The resolution came after a crucial meeting in Abuja with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Also in attendance were the Director General of NiMET, officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and representatives from major aviation unions, including the National Union of Transport Employees, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Union of Air Transport Employees.

The NiMET staff had embarked on the strike to protest poor working conditions, including the non-implementation of the national minimum wage, exclusion of certain staff from past allowances, and the neglect of essential training programmes.

During the strike, Air Peace suspended all flight operations nationwide, citing safety concerns due to the lack of critical weather updates. In a directive captured on video, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema ordered the cancellation of all flights until the strike was resolved, emphasising the airline’s commitment to the safety of passengers and crew.

With the strike now suspended, flight operations are expected to gradually return to normal across the country. The aviation unions expressed optimism that the government’s intervention would lead to long-term improvements in the working conditions at NiMET.