FG releases N4.04bn severance benefits to 600 ex-Nigeria Airways workers

The Federal Government has released ₦4.04 billion as the second tranche of severance benefits to 600 former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, bringing the total payments announced so far to more than ₦22 billion.

The latest payment, covering beneficiaries in Batches 010 and 011, follows the ₦18 billion released in September 2026 for 2,700 former workers across the first nine batches.

The Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Maryann Duke, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the statement, the total gross severance benefits for the 600 beneficiaries amounted to ₦4.251 billion, while deductions stood at ₦212.55 million, leaving a net payment of ₦4.038 billion.

The latest disbursement brings the number of former Nigeria Airways workers covered by the two announced payment tranches to 3,300.

The Federal Government said the payment was part of its efforts to settle outstanding severance obligations owed to former employees of the defunct national carrier.

It explained that the disbursement process was being implemented in batches, based on the verification of beneficiaries and their employment records, to ensure that approved entitlements reached the rightful recipients.

The government acknowledged the prolonged wait experienced by former employees and their families, adding that it remained committed to resolving legitimate outstanding claims through an orderly and transparent process.

It also said verification procedures would be maintained to safeguard public funds and ensure that payments were made in line with established procedures.

The Ministry of Finance, according to the statement, would continue to support the implementation of approved government obligations through the applicable payment process.

Nigeria Airways, the country’s former national carrier, ceased operations in 2003, leaving outstanding employee entitlements among the issues arising from its collapse.

The latest release represents a further step in the government’s efforts to address long-standing financial obligations to its former workforce, although the statement did not indicate the number of beneficiaries or the total amount remaining to be paid.