FG Pays N18bn Outstanding Benefits To 2,100 Former Nigeria Airways Workers

The Federal Government has paid the outstanding benefits of 2,100 former Nigeria Airways workers after more than two decades of waiting, with payments to another 600 beneficiaries being finalised.

The intervention, involving about N18 billion, was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, at a press briefing in Abuja.

Oyedele said the payments followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to resolve the long-standing claims owed to the former workers.

According to him, the intervention covers 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers, with beneficiaries in categories one to seven already paid, while the government is finalising payments for those in categories eight and nine.

He described the settlement as more than the clearance of a financial obligation, saying it was also about restoring the dignity of Nigerians who dedicated their productive years to public service and had spent decades waiting for their entitlements.

The minister said the government conducted an extensive verification exercise to establish genuine beneficiaries and ensure that public funds were paid only to eligible claimants.

He added that a mop-up exercise would be conducted to address outstanding cases, particularly those involving eligible former workers whose records were not captured during the initial process or whose documentation requires further verification.

Oyedele commended President Tinubu for the directive and acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and other officials and stakeholders who helped advance the payment process.

The Federal Government said the settlement is part of its broader fiscal reform agenda, which seeks to balance prudent management of public resources with the responsibility to meet legitimate obligations to citizens.

Oyedele also highlighted government efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises, stressing the need to strengthen businesses, protect livelihoods and create an environment for sustainable economic activity.