The workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways are yet to be paid their full entitlement 30 years after liquidation, chairman, Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council (JCNC), Hector Nnadi has said.

Nnadi, who called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the lingering situation, noted that the significant contributions of aviation trade unions in shaping the landscape of the industry can not be overemphasised.
Speaking at the 11th edition of aviation workers week and award night, Nnadi said, “I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our aviation workers, who strive day and night to ensure the safety, security, and efficiency of our aviation industry. Among these great veterans are the workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, who gave their patriotic service to this nation but are still struggling to get their full entitlement after 30 years of liquidation. We are sending an SOS to Mr. President for his further intervention to conclude this over years challenge and become ‘Aviation Workers Hero’ the above is without prejudice to several efforts of the minister of aviation.

“As we gather today, we are reminded of the significant contributions of aviation trade unions in shaping the landscape of our industry. These unions have not only been at the forefront of advocating for the welfare of workers, but have also played a vital role in fostering collaboration and ensuring that the aviation sector continues to evolve in line with both national and global standards.”
Speaking on the theme of the event, “The Role of Aviation Trade Unions in Galvanising Workers’ Support for Attainment of Ministerial Mandates”, the JCNC chairman said “it highlights a crucial aspect of our industry: the powerful connections between trade unions, the workforce and the successful implementation of key governmental and ministerial policies.

“We recognise that the aviation industry is a dynamic sector. This implies that it directly impacts our economy, safety and national development. It is, therefore, vital that we foster collaboration and strengthen partnerships to ensure that the goals of our Ministry are achieved effectively and efficiently.”

He also said the event will critically explore ways of further enhancing this collaboration—”how we can strengthen the unity between trade unions and the ministry, and ultimately, how we can ensure that our workforce remains motivated, engaged, and aligned with the strategic objectives that will propel our sector to greater heights.”

Also speaking at the event, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, represented by the permanent secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana pledged continued support of the trade unions in the aviation sector.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Tuesday, said that Kenya Airways has apologised for mistreating a Nigerian Passenger in Nairobi, Kenya.

LEADERSHIP reports that a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, was denied boarding on the second leg of her connecting flight in Nairobi over her inability to provide a Schengen visa. She was then accused of throwing used sanitary pads on the airline’s employee.

The social media video showing a verbal exchange between the passenger and a Kenya Airways agent at the transfer desk in Nairobi (NBO) has since generated comments.

However, the director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his X account, shared pictures and the outcome of the meeting.

According to him, the airline has apologised for the ill-treatment of the Nigerian passenger during a meeting with the airline.

“In respect of the now viral case between a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, and Kenyan Airways, I summoned the airline to my Abuja office today, Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

In attendance were the airline’s country manager, James Nganga; Station Manager, Eric Mukira; and duty manager, Ezenwa Ehumadu.

“We informed the airline that the passenger had called Kenya Airways…on December 7, 2025, to inquire if she was qualified to fly the Manchester-Paris-Nairobi-Lagos (inbound) and Lagos-Nairobi-Paris-Manchester route. According to the passenger, the airline told her that she was qualified, despite her informing them that she is Nigerian, who holds a British resident permit, but no Shenghen visa,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA director said it was based on this information from Kenya Airways that the passenger proceeded to purchase the ticket, adding that she flew the first leg into Nigeria via Paris and Nairobi with no incidence.

“The airline has asked for time to check their recorded call log and confirm if that call happened. They have been granted 48 hours to do so,” he said.

“For her outbound flight, the airline boarded and flew the passenger out of Lagos despite knowing that she needed a transit visa for the Paris leg. This fault was that of the airline, and it was only discovered in Nairobi.”

He noted that upon discovery, the airline then offered the passenger a direct flight to London at no extra cost to her, on the condition that she’d wait another 10 hours in addition to the 17-hour layover she had just endured. Since she was bleeding and exhausted, the passenger demanded accommodation and care because the error was that of the airline. It was when she was denied care that an argument ensued between her and the airline counter staff,” he added.

Achimugu said this is contrary to the intentionally misleading official statement by Kenya Airways claiming that the lady simply refused to re-route directly to London and started to throw pads around.

He said the Kenya Airways team has apologised for the obfuscation of facts in that statement and has also admitted that phone call or not, it was the fault of the airline not to have discovered the problem before airlifting the passenger from Lagos.

“I expressed deep disappointment about the unruly Kenya Airways staff who insulted the office of the President of Nigeria, insinuating that the airline could do anything to Nigerians and nothing would happen. I asked if this manner of addressing customer complaints was the airline’s standard protocol.

“The country manager stated in very clear terms that the staff was out of order and apologised for the outburst. When asked what disciplinary measures will be taken against their personnel, he said that his bosses in Nairobi would decide,” he added.

Kenya transfer desk in Nairobi (NBO) has since generated reactions.

However, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his X account shared pictures and the outcome of the meeting to address the dispute.

Achimugu said the airline has apologised for the ill-treatment of the Nigerian passenger during a meeting with the airline.

“In respect of the now viral case between a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, and Kenyan Airways, I summoned the airline to my Abuja office today, Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

“In attendance were the airline’s Country Manager, James Nganga; Station Manager, Eric Mukira; and Duty Manager, Ezenwa Ehumadu.
“We informed the airline that the passenger had called Kenya Airways on December 7, 2025 to inquire if she was qualified to fly the Manchester-Paris-Nairobi-Lagos (inbound) and Lagos-Nairobi-Paris-Manchester route.

“According to the passenger, the airline told her that she was qualified, despite her informing them that she is Nigerian, who holds a British resident permit, but no Shenghen visa,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA director said it was based on this information from Kenya Airways that assured the passenger to proceed to purchase the ticket, adding that she flew the first leg into Nigeria via Paris and Nairobi with no incidence.

“The airline has asked for time to check their recorded call log and confirm if that call happened. They have been granted 48 hours to do so,” he said.

“For her outbound flight, the airline boarded and flew the passenger out of Lagos despite knowing that she needed a transit visa for the Paris leg. This fault was that of the airline, and it was only discovered in Nairobi.”

He noted that upon discovery, the airline then offered the passenger a direct flight to London at no extra cost to her, on the condition that she would wait another 10 hours in addition to the 17-hour layover she had just endured.

“Since she was bleeding and exhausted, the passenger demanded accommodation and care because the error was that of the airline. It was when she was denied care that an argument ensued between her and the airline counter staff,” he added.

Achimugu said this is contrary to the intentionally misleading official statement by Kenya Airways claiming that the lady simply refused to re-route directly to London and started to throw pads around.

He said the Kenya Airways team has apologised for confusing facts in that statement, and has also admitted that phone call or not, it was the fault of the airline not to have discovered the problem before airlifting the passenger from Lagos.

“I expressed deep disappointment about the unruly Kenya Airways staff who insulted the office of the President of Nigeria, insinuating that the airline could do anything to Nigerians and nothing would happen. I asked if this manner of addressing customer complaints was the airline’s standard protocol.

“The country manager stated in very clear terms that the staff was out of order and apologised for the outburst. When asked what disciplinary measures will be taken against their personnel, he said that his bosses in Nairobi would decide,” he added.