FG Pays ₦4.25 Billion to 600 More Ex-Nigeria Airways Staff
The Federal Government has disbursed ₦4.25 billion in outstanding pension and severance benefits to 600 additional beneficiaries of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, bringing the total number of beneficiaries paid to 3,300 across 11 batches.
The latest payment represents another step in the government’s efforts to settle long-standing financial obligations owed to former employees of the national carrier, which ceased operations years ago.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the latest disbursement covers beneficiaries in Batches 010 and 011, with gross benefits totalling ₦4,251,043,000.19. After deductions of approximately ₦212.55 million, the net amount released for payment stands at ₦4,038,490,850.18.
The payment follows an earlier disbursement of ₦18 billion announced in September 2026, which covered 2,700 former workers across the first nine batches. With the additional 600 beneficiaries included, the total number of former employees paid has now increased to 3,300.
The development is expected to provide financial relief to former workers and their families who have waited for years to receive their outstanding entitlements. The prolonged delay in settling these obligations has remained a significant concern for affected employees and their dependants.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Finance has confirmed that verification and validation exercises for the next of kin of deceased former Nigeria Airways workers are ongoing. The process is intended to establish eligibility, authenticate claims and ensure that outstanding benefits are paid to the rightful beneficiaries.
The ministry explained that payments would continue to be processed in batches following the verification of relevant records, in line with established procedures designed to promote transparency and protect public funds.
The Federal Government’s action forms part of its broader efforts to settle verified financial obligations inherited from previous administrations and fulfil outstanding commitments to eligible beneficiaries.
However, the latest disbursement also highlights the challenges associated with delayed government payments, particularly for retired workers who have had to wait many years for benefits earned during their years of service.
The continued processing of outstanding claims will therefore be important in ensuring that all eligible former employees and the families of deceased workers receive the entitlements due to them.
