Mr. President, your flame of Renewed Hope now smolders as embers. Upon assuming office in 2023, you inherited the inhuman treatment of Nigeria Airways retired staff, whose severance benefits remained unpaid. Your Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, picked up the gauntlet in late 2023, pushing for payment which you approved nine months ago. That approval gave us hope, but today, that flame is nearly extinguished.
You are not responsible for this despicable treatment. The saga began in 2001 when Dr. Kema Chikwe, Minister of Aviation under President Obasanjo, formed the AbokiZawa Committee to rationalize staff. Though the committee recommended paying benefits before retirements, the Minister ignored this and retired world-class pilots, engineers, and professionals without a dime.
In 2003, at the valedictory FEC meeting, Dr. Chikwe presented two memos: one for liquidating Nigeria Airways, another for floating Nigeria Global. The first was approved, the second rejected. President Obasanjo ordered liquidation despite IFC advice that assets—including skilled staff, landed properties in Lagos, West Africa, London, New York, Nairobi, Jeddah, and Rome, plus route networks—were enough to refloat a new airline. The liquidator, Babington Ashaye, disposed of all assets. Shockingly, over 4,000 staff received no terminal benefits, valued at N76 billion.
Subsequent ministers—Isa Yuguda, Babalola, Fani Kayode—and finance ministers—Adamu Ciroma, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nenadi Usman—ignored their plight. President Yar'Adua approved five-year terminal benefits only, while overseas colleagues were paid 25 years promptly. President Jonathan did nothing, nor did his ministers Stella Oduah, Ortom, Chidoka, and finance chiefs Mansur Mukhtar, Olusegun Aganga, and Okonjo-Iweala.
President Buhari expressed concern and approved N78 billion payment. Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika prepared documents, but Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun delayed. Zainab Ahmed effected partial payment, leaving a balance of N36 billion.
President Tinubu approved final settlement in June 2025. Finance Minister Wale Edun communicated this to Keyamo, who submitted details by August 2025. Since then, the file languishes in the Finance Ministry. Excuses abound: the Minister, Minister of State, Accountant General, or Permanent Secretary. Over 600 retirees have died, families destabilized, children dropping out. Since your approval, 15 more have died, including Captain Wekpe, C.A.T. Agubama, Engr. Anene, Alh. Yahaya. Earlier deaths include Captains Azike, Akinyosade, Tito Omaghomi, Shewu, Okiwelu, Akpan, Orimolade, Engr. (Mrs) Wright, and many professionals.
Survivors aged 60 to 101 include Capt. Bob Hayes (91, first black African pilot to land in US), Dele Ore, Jonathan Ibrahim, Alwell Brown, and others. These staff connected Nigeria domestically and internationally, flying to London, Rome, Amsterdam, New York, Jeddah, Dubai, Karachi, Nairobi, and across Africa. They supported foreign policy, liberation struggles, sports, and pilgrimage missions.
Mr. President, rekindle the smoldering embers of hope. End this 25-year ordeal. As one homilist said, on our way to God's judgment, our deeds will be our guard of honor. Our departed colleagues will mount that guard for those who withheld their entitlements.
