The federal government has finally settled the 45-month minimum wage arrears owed to staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), a debt that had accumulated since 2019. The non-payment of these arrears had caused significant friction between NiMet management, its staff, and the labor unions.
Earlier this year, the unions had planned an industrial action for May 20, 2024, but it was suspended following the intervention of the House Committee on Aviation Technology and the Senate Committee on Aviation. The intervention, led by Rt. Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, resulted in an agreement reached on May 19, 2024.
Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director General and CEO of NiMet, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for authorizing the payment, acknowledging his worker-friendly stance. Anosike also thanked the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the House and Senate Committees on Aviation for their roles in resolving the issue.
The NiMet Unions Joint Action Committee (NJAC), represented by Comrade Okechukwu Nwokoro, also expressed their gratitude for the intervention that led to the payment of the arrears. In a release dated August 12, 2024, they thanked President Tinubu, Festus Keyamo, and the legislative committees for their collective efforts.
