By Michael Oche
Former employees and pensioners of the defunct Nigeria Airways have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the prolonged delay in the release of their N36 billion severance and pension entitlements.
In a letter dated May 7, 2026, and addressed to the President, the ex-workers descried what they said was the exclusion of their outstanding N36 billion severance and pension entitlements from the 2026 budget, despite earlier assurances by the federal government to settle the outstanding liabilities.
The letter, jointly signed by the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Nigeria Airways Branch, Comrade Olusegun Adeleke, and the branch Secretary, Comrade Thomas Ojuderi, was also copied to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
The pensioners expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the payment of their severance and pension benefits in May 2025, describing the decision as a long-awaited relief after years of uncertainty following the liquidation of the national carrier.
However, they noted that their expectations have not been met, as the approved N36 billion has yet to be released for payment.
“Our hearts were gladdened when Your Excellency approved the payment of our severance and pension in May 2025,” the letter read. “But we are deeply concerned that, till date, the N36 billion approved for us has not been released for payment.”
The ex-workers said the continued delay has worsened their living conditions, with many retirees facing severe economic hardship, deteriorating health, and, in some cases, the loss of colleagues who died while awaiting their entitlements.
They urged the President to use his office to direct the relevant authorities, particularly the Ministry of Finance, to facilitate the immediate release of the funds from any available source.
“We are appealing to Your Excellency’s humanitarian consideration to intervene and ensure the prompt release of the approved N36 billion for our payment,” the union leaders stated.
The former airline workers described President Tinubu as their last hope in resolving the lingering issue, noting that previous efforts to secure payment had been unsuccessful.
Nigeria Airways, the country’s former national carrier, was liquidated in 2003, leaving thousands of workers in a protracted struggle for the settlement of their severance benefits, gratuities, and pensions.
Over the years, the affected workers have repeatedly called on successive administrations to address the outstanding liabilities, with the latest appeal underscoring the urgency of government action to bring closure to the decades-long dispute.
