More than two decades after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, former employees of the defunct national carrier are still awaiting the release of their approved severance and pension benefits, raising fresh concerns over government-backed entitlements.
A former pilot, John Okezie, has appealed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to authorise the immediate disbursement of the ₦36 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu in mid-2025. Nearly eight months after the presidential approval, the funds remain unreleased.
In a Save Our Soul letter, Okezie warned that the prolonged delay has deepened hardship among retirees, many of whom are elderly and battling health challenges without adequate support. He noted that several ex-workers struggle to afford food, housing, and medical care, while others have died before receiving their benefits.
“These are not just files awaiting action; they are professionals who once represented Nigeria across Africa and beyond,” Okezie said, lamenting that the situation has left many pensioners feeling abandoned despite decades of service.
Okezie, who has lived with partial paralysis since 2010, described the delay as painful and demoralising, questioning why payments already sanctioned at the highest level remain stalled. He stressed that the severance package is a legal obligation, not discretionary support, urging authorities to prioritise the matter. “Justice delayed, especially for elderly pensioners, is justice denied,” he added.
Observers say the lingering payout raises broader questions about pension administration and the pace of public-sector liability resolution. Analysts note that timely settlement of such obligations is critical to reinforcing trust in public institutions and assuring current workers that long-term benefits will be honoured.
The plight of Nigeria Airways retirees underscores the human cost of bureaucratic delays, with many now facing vulnerability in their twilight years.
By Juliet Ezeh, Abuja
