NiMET Strike Grounds Flights as Air Peace Suspends Operations Over Safety Fears
Local air travel across Nigeria hit turbulence this week as workers from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) took to the streets in protest, demanding better pay and working conditions. The result? Flights delayed, passengers stranded, and safety concerns rising by the minute.
By day two of the strike, the impact had spread to major airports including Lagos and Abuja. Passengers booked on Air Peace flights were caught off guard as the airline made the tough call to halt operations—citing safety as the top priority.
In a video making the rounds, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema could be heard giving direct orders: “Cancel every Air Peace flight now, nationwide. Safety comes first—our crew, our equipment, our passengers. We’re not flying without weather updates from NiMET, full stop.”
While a few other airlines like XEJET, Aero Contractors, and Ibom Air managed to stick to schedule, Air Peace wasn’t taking any chances. The absence of updated weather reports, especially hazardous weather alerts, left the airline grounded until further notice.
A statement from the airline’s communications team echoed Onyema’s message: “Due to the NiMET strike and lack of critical weather updates, we’ve suspended all flights. Your safety means everything to us.”
In response to the growing unrest, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo called for an urgent sit-down with union leaders, scheduled for Thursday. There’s hope that the conversation could ease tensions and bring services back online.
But for NiMET staff, the walkout wasn’t just about weather forecasts. It’s about years of feeling overlooked and underpaid.
One protester put it plainly: “Our salaries don’t match the work we do. While our colleagues in sister agencies are paid well, we’re stuck with barely enough to live on.”
Placards in hand, workers described how their services span agriculture, marine, and transportation—yet they feel like the forgotten piece of Nigeria’s aviation puzzle. Some shared deeply personal struggles, from unpaid school fees to the rising number of forecasters suffering health issues due to stress.
Union reps also voiced their frustration at domestic airlines still flying despite the risks. “International carriers like British Airways and Qatar Airways have paused operations in compliance with global safety standards,” said Paul Ogohi, a union secretary. “But local airlines? Some are ignoring the rules.”
Others warned that the system is breaking those who keep it running. “Almost 70% of our forecasters are dealing with high blood pressure,” Ogohi added. “This isn’t just about salaries—it’s about survival.”
Uzor Oluchi, representing the National Union of Air Transport Employees, shared more hard truths: “Some NiMET workers earn as low as ₦31,000 monthly. That’s below minimum wage. That’s not okay.”
Even as the crisis unfolds, NiMET leadership says they’re committed to finding a resolution. “The minister has been supportive, and we’re hopeful Thursday’s meeting will bring some peace. No one wins if this continues,” a senior official shared.
Until then, travelers are being asked to stay patient—and stay grounded.
