The Federal Government has concluded the payment of outstanding severance benefits to 2,100 former workers of Nigeria Airways Limited, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.

The Federal Ministry of Finance said the payments, covering Batches 1 to 7, represent severance benefits owed to the affected former employees. It added that Batches 8 and 9, comprising 600 beneficiaries, are being finalised and are expected to receive their payments within days.

With the completion of the nine batches, a total of 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers will have been covered, with benefits amounting to ₦18 billion. The payment is expected to provide relief to beneficiaries and their families who have waited for years to receive their entitlements.

The settlement followed approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the payment of the outstanding severance obligations. The Ministry said the President’s intervention provided the impetus for government to address the long-standing matter and bring the payment process to conclusion.

‎Under the direction of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the Ministry said processes for identifying eligible beneficiaries, validating records and determining the financial obligations were undertaken, leading to the commencement of payments to the first seven batches.

Oyedele said the development reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing legitimate outstanding obligations and prioritising the welfare of Nigerians. He said the government’s responsibility was to complete the necessary processes and ensure that those legitimately entitled to payments received their approved benefits.

The Ministry also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the National Assembly Joint Committees on Aviation towards the resolution of the matter. It said the committees, led by the Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, and the House Committee Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, played an important oversight role in advancing the case.

‎The Ministry said the payment process involved extensive verification, including biometric capture and validation of beneficiaries’ personal and banking details. According to the Director of the Presidential Initiative and Continuous Audit Department, Seldam Dangin, a second-phase mop-up exercise is being prepared for beneficiaries whose records could not be processed, with the exercise expected to begin by the end of September or early October.

‎The exercise will also address cases involving deceased beneficiaries, whose next of kin or estates will be required to complete the necessary verification and legal processes before payment.