NiMet Workers Call Off Strike After Meeting With Festus Keyamo

Workers at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have decided to end their strike after the federal government stepped in to address their concerns.

KanyiDaily recalls that the NiMet employees had gone on an indefinite strike on Wednesday, protesting over unresolved welfare issues.

These included the agency’s failure to discuss or implement agreed financial benefits, unpaid entitlements linked to the 2019 minimum wage, wage awards, and peculiar allowances.

They also accused NiMet’s management of withholding important documents, failing to include certain staff in past payments, and neglecting staff training programmes while prioritizing executive retreats.

But by Thursday, the strike was suspended after a private meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and union leaders from NiMet.

The workers agreed to call off the strike temporarily while waiting to see if the minister follows through on his promises.

Aba Ocheme, the national secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), said the strike is suspended until May 13, 2025.

“We have resolved to suspend the ongoing strike till May 13, 2025, in recognition of the honourable minister’s timely and sincere intervention. We await the progress of the actions he has committed to take,” Ocheme said.

Alale Adedayo, president of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), said the strike was suspended as a sign of respect for the minister’s involvement.

According to a statement from Keyamo’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, the minister showed sympathy for the workers and promised to push for lasting solutions.

He also said Keyamo plans to engage with President Bola Tinubu and Finance Minister Wale Edun to help resolve the key issues.

KanyiDaily recalls that during the strike, Air Peace had to suspend all flights nationwide due to the lack of QNH weather reports, which are critical for safe landings.