FG releases ₦4bn to 600 Ex-Nigeria Airways workers
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The ministry disclosed that the gross entitlements of the 600 beneficiaries amounted to ₦4,251,043,000.19, from which ₦212,552,150.01 was deducted, leaving a net payment of ₦4,038,490,850.18.
The Federal Government has released ₦4.04 billion in severance benefits for 600 former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, ending another phase of the workers’ prolonged struggle for their outstanding entitlements.
The Federal Ministry of Finance announced the release on Monday, October 19, 2026, in a statement signed by Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
According to the ministry, the payment covers Batches 010 and 011 of verified beneficiaries and represents the second tranche of the government’s severance settlement programme.
The ministry disclosed that the gross entitlements of the 600 beneficiaries amounted to ₦4,251,043,000.19, from which ₦212,552,150.01 was deducted, leaving a net payment of ₦4,038,490,850.18.
The latest release follows the ₦18 billion severance settlement announced in September for 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers across the first nine batches.
The government explained that payments were being processed in batches to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries with verified records received their entitlements.
“The Federal Government recognises the prolonged wait experienced by former employees and their families and remains committed to resolving legitimate outstanding claims through an orderly and transparent process, while safeguarding public funds through appropriate verification,” the statement read.
Nigeria Airways, once Nigeria’s national carrier, ceased operations in 2003 and was subsequently liquidated in 2004, leaving thousands of former employees pursuing unpaid severance benefits for more than two decades.
The Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its commitment to settling outstanding obligations through established payment procedures.
“The Ministry of Finance will continue to support the implementation of approved government obligations in line with established procedures and the applicable payment process,” it added.