April 24, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Meteorology Society (NMetS), a professional body within the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has petitioned the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) over the continued operations of some airlines amid the ongoing strike by NiMet workers.
NiMet workers had embarked on an indefinite strike from midnight Tuesday to demand improved welfare and pay conditions. Despite this, several domestic carriers—including United Nigeria Airlines, Arik Air, Ibom Air, Rano Air, Overland Airways, ValueJet and others—continued operations on Wednesday and Thursday. Only Air Peace suspended flights, citing safety concerns.
In a strongly worded letter signed by NMetS National President, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, and the Abuja Branch Chairman, Comrade Awotu Auptre, the body condemned the operations of airlines without proper meteorological briefings, describing it as dangerous and a violation of global aviation safety practices.
The statement singled out United Nigeria Airlines, accusing the carrier of using “quack methods” to obtain weather reports and warning that such actions could endanger the lives of passengers.
The statement read, “United Nigeria Airlines are not trained to issue meteorological reports and have not received ISO certification to engage in such activities.
“The professional body has officially contacted ICAO and WMO over this rogue approach, which contradicts best aviation practices and threatens flight safety in Nigeria.”
Reacting to the backlash, United Nigeria Airlines assured its passengers that its operations remain safe and fully compliant with aviation regulations.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, the airline said it had taken proactive steps to ensure uninterrupted, secure flight operations during the NiMet strike.
“United Nigeria Airlines wishes to reassure our valued passengers and the general flying public that our flight operations remain safe, reliable, and fully compliant with regulatory standards,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, efforts to resolve the crisis are underway as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, held a high-level meeting on Thursday with aviation stakeholders, including union leaders and heads of aviation agencies.
In attendance were representatives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), led by Comrade Ochema Abba and Comrade Oluchi, and officials of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), including Comrade Alale Adebayo and Comrade Ambore Samson.
The meeting aims to address grievances raised by striking workers and find a path toward restoring full operations across the country’s airspace.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
