Comrade Alale Adedayo, President General, Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals. ANAP, addressing workers on the gaffe in the airport concession procedures
All the various workers’ unions in the aviation industry in Nigeria have unanimously, and vehemently rejected the procedures for the airport concession and by extension rejected the outcome from the exercise described as erroneous process, as announced by the federal ministry of aviation and aerospace development.
Comrade Ben Nnabue, President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) made the statement when addressing members of the amalgamated unions at the freedom square, situated at the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Ikeja, Lagos, during the unions Congress Wednesday, 6th August 2025.
Nnabue described the exercise as a well-planned deceit by stealthily embarking on the entire process without carrying the workers along and suddenly a decision rented the air that an airport concession had been concluded.
He however called for a restart afresh, of the whole process to allow genuine bidders enough time by mounting wider publicity for the bids to attract genuine investors participate in the bid when the process is transparent.
Comrade Ben Nnabue, President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, (3rd left) leading workers in a peaceful rally preceding his address- Wednesday, 6th August 2925
Comrade Nnabue declared, “let the government organ saddled with the concession start afresh with adequate publicity. Let Nigerians be aware what is being done, when it is starting and the deadline. No one would plead alibi then. And genuine and serious organizations would surely stand to be counted.”
Nnabue also argued that the entire airports to be concession should be done at once since the valuation of each of the airports shall be a strong factor in determining winners among the bidders.
Nnabue said it was not funny but embarrassing that not a single aviation worker in Nigeria can explain to enquirers or friends, home and abroad, simple inquiry on the structure or step by step procedures of the concession program until it is consummated.
Comrade Nnabue explained that concession that would be enduring would address all labour issues. He noted that the current concession which came up through flight by night, fatally failed to address issues that should provide assurance for labour.
In his presentation, Comrade Alale Adedayo, the President General of Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, ANAP, expressed dismay that the minister did not fulfill his promise of carrying labour along in the concession process.
Comrade Ben Nnabue, President of NUATE addressed the workers who were curious of what the future holds for their career after concession
Adedayo said the workers were very much surprised when announcement kept flying that one of the international airports had been concession to a victorious bidder.
He said the announcements and the activities that surrounded the concession smacked of a deal done in the thick of the night, which leaves much to be desires.
However, Comrade Adedayo called for reversal of the entire concession process and make it as transparent as fairness, equity, justice and good conscience would allow.
Adedayo explained that for the sake of credibility, the minister should restart the exercise and make adequate announcement in all the media for Nigerians at home and in diaspora
to be sufficiently notified and the act of transparency would positively impact the outcome as bidders with the ability anfd financial wherewithal would take charge and further the growth of air transport industry.
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