Nigeria’s aviation sector must preserve safety while the dispute involving airport workers continues, public affairs analyst and civil society advocate Mohammed Kudu said on Friday, urging the government and industry participants to pursue a negotiated settlement.
Abuja disruption intensifies pressure
The warning follows industrial action last week that interrupted activities at Abuja Airport and resulted in the cancellation of passenger services. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), through its Director-General, Capt Chris Ona Najomo, responded by calling on the affected parties to enter talks.
Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, also convened a meeting aimed at bringing the dispute to an end. Against the backdrop of what appears to be a deepening confrontation in the aviation industry, Kudu called on the Federal Government to ensure that every relevant party works together toward a mutually acceptable resolution.
Kudu urges cooperation on sector reforms
Kudu said the administration’s actions showed signs of an effort to improve conditions for aviation businesses and passengers. He pointed to progress or planned action in several areas:
- Strengthening safety supervision;
- Protecting air travellers and other consumers;
- Creating greater certainty in regulation; and
- Attracting investment for the purchase of aircraft.
He argued that the industry now requires joint problem-solving. Workers and other stakeholders, he said, are entitled to raise grievances and seek accountability, but their interventions should remain constructive and focused on practical solutions.
Kudu added that the reforms being advanced by the administration serve the interests of passengers. He said the long-term growth of Nigerian aviation should take precedence over disputes involving individual people or institutions.
Call to protect aviation’s economic role
He appealed to all sides to put aside their differences and give the government’s initiatives an opportunity to produce tangible benefits for Nigeria. In his view, the country needs an aviation industry that combines safety and efficiency with competitiveness, while also having the capacity to support wider economic expansion.
