The National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Ogbe John, has delivered a stirring May Day message, celebrating the resilience of aviation workers while calling for sweeping reforms to address welfare, safety, and industry sustainability concerns.
In his address to union members, aviation stakeholders, and dignitaries on Workers’ Day 2026, the ATSSSAN leader paid glowing tribute to the often unseen workforce that keeps Nigeria’s aviation sector functional.
“From the runway to the terminal, we celebrate the hands and minds that keep Nigerians and the world flying,” he said, highlighting the critical roles played by air traffic controllers, engineers, baggage handlers, security personnel, and customer service agents.
He noted that the safety and efficiency of air travel depend heavily on the tireless dedication of these professionals, many of whom work behind the scenes.
“When passengers sleep in aircraft, the air traffic controller is awake. When planes land safely in rain or harmattan, it is because professionals refused to cut corners,” he added, underscoring the indispensable contributions of aviation workers.
Despite their importance, Comrade Ogbe lamented the worsening economic realities confronting aviation workers.
He pointed to the declining value of the naira and rising cost of living, which he said have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.
“Our naira is still sick. Food prices continue to rise, but salaries remain stagnant,” he said, calling for wages that reflect both the risks inherent in aviation work and the economic conditions of 2026.
The union leader stressed that many workers endure hardship in silence and urged both government and employers to prioritise fair remuneration.
A major highlight of the speech was ATSSSAN’s strong opposition to the increasing use of contract and casual staff in the aviation sector.
Comrade Ogbe described airports as unsuitable for what he termed “casual workers experimentation,” insisting that such practices undermine safety and dignity.
He advocated a structured transition from contract staffing to permanent employment through career progression, in line with the union’s core values of dignity and safety.
“If there must be safety in the sky, there must be dignity of labour in the industry,” he declared, warning that the union would take firm steps to ensure improved treatment for aviation workers.
The ATSSSAN president also raised concerns over the persistent scarcity and rising cost of aviation fuel, Jet-A1, describing it as a major threat to the survival of the sector.
He linked the worsening situation to global tensions, including the ongoing Gulf conflict, which has disrupted supply chains.
He urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene by engaging stakeholders to develop a sustainable solution.
“The aviation business is becoming a potentially endangered species in our economic mix,” he warned, adding that affordable and stable fuel supply is essential to maintaining safe and reliable air transport, particularly given security challenges on Nigeria’s roads.
In a passionate appeal, Comrade Ogbe called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the immediate disbursement of long-overdue benefits owed to former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
He recalled that ₦36 billion had been approved for the settlement but remains unpaid due to bureaucratic delays within the Federal Ministry of Finance.
“Our senior citizens continue to die without receiving their benefits,” he said, describing the situation as unacceptable and urging swift implementation of the approved payment.
The ATSSSAN leader also emphasised the importance of unionisation, describing it as a constitutional right guaranteed under Nigerian law. He called on organisations within the aviation industry that have yet to embrace industrial democracy to do so without delay.
“Aviators should not be made to beg to enjoy the right to belong to a union of their choice,” he stated, vowing that the union would resist any attempts to suppress workers’ rights.
He further urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, alongside the Ministry of Labour, to strengthen oversight and ensure compliance with labour laws across the sector.
Addressing both government and industry management, Comrade Ogbe stressed that workers are not demanding luxury but fairness. He called for prompt payment of salaries, comprehensive insurance coverage, and responsiveness to safety concerns raised by staff.
“When an airport worker is tired, overworked, underpaid, or ignored, every passenger is at risk,” he warned.
He linked these concerns to the 2026 May Day theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,” noting that addressing workers’ welfare is critical to mitigating broader socio-economic challenges.
Concluding his address, the ATSSSAN president urged workers to remain united, stressing that collective strength is essential in achieving lasting reforms.
“None of us flies alone. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, encouraging solidarity across unions and the aviation community.
He commended aviation workers for their dedication and sacrifices, often made without public recognition, and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to their cause.
“No retreat, no surrender. Aluta continua, victoria acerta,” he declared.
The May Day message resonated as both a celebration of aviation workers and a firm call to action, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry while ensuring dignity and fair treatment for its workforce.
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