Aviation Unions Secure FG’s Backing For Workers’ Welfare Proposal At ICAO

Nigerian aviation labour unions have secured the Federal Government’s support for a proposal seeking to make workers’ welfare, decent work and social sustainability key components of the global civil aviation framework.

The proposal, championed by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), is expected to be presented at the Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf7) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), scheduled to hold in Montreal, Canada, from November 16 to 20, 2026.

The unions, operating under the Joint Aviation Trade Union Forum (JATUF) and led by its Chairman, Ben Nnabue, obtained the government’s endorsement during a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

The delegation presented the ITF position paper to the minister, seeking greater recognition of workers’ rights, welfare and professional development in policies guiding the future of international aviation.

According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the delegation comprised executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), all affiliated with the ITF.

Other members included the forum’s Vice Chairmen, John Ogbe, Alale Adedayo and Group Captain Bunmi Gandeh, as well as its Secretary, Hector Nnadi.

The unions maintained that the sustainability of the aviation industry should not be assessed solely through infrastructure development, technological advancement and economic growth, but should also take into account workers’ welfare, rights and career development.

They stressed that aviation personnel remained critical to the safety, efficiency and growth of the industry, noting the need for a global framework that balances economic competitiveness with social responsibility.

The unions further argued that the future of international aviation would depend partly on how effectively governments and industry operators address the concerns of the workforce.

Meanwhile, the delegation also presented Keyamo with an invitation to serve as Grand Patron of the Renewed Hope Aviation Support Group (RHASG), an organisation established under the Strategic Collaboration for the Re-Election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group said the nomination was made on behalf of its Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and members in recognition of the minister’s leadership and experience.

It also congratulated Keyamo on his recent appointment as Director of the Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-election campaign, expressing confidence that his experience and knowledge of the aviation sector would provide strategic direction for its activities.