Employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have finally received the new minimum wage and revised salary structure as of May 2025, following prolonged industrial action and negotiations with government officials.
An official of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals confirmed the payment, noting that while the new wage has been implemented, arrears will be disbursed by the end of July due to technical delays in the payment system.
“We’ve documented all unresolved issues and informed the Director-General,” the official said.
“Key among these is the implementation of the minimum wage, which has now been addressed.”
The breakthrough reportedly came after the Minister of Aviation personally intervened, instructing the Director-General to fast-track the process through the Office of the Accountant-General.
“After the minister’s call, the DG was told to go to the Accountant General’s office to ensure that salaries were processed and paid in May,” the official added.
The salary adjustments include a new minimum wage of N70,000 and tiered increments ranging between 25% and 35%, with junior staff receiving the highest percentage increases.
“The percentage varies by level. Lower grades saw as much as 33%, while senior levels received smaller increments,” the source said.
The official also confirmed that NiMet’s new condition of service has been signed by the DG and forwarded to the Minister for submission to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Progress on staff welfare demands is ongoing, the official noted:
“We’re seeing movement on most of our requests.”
However, the arrears initially scheduled for payment in June have been delayed due to a system upgrade at the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“We expect arrears by the end of July,” the official said.
NiMet staff had embarked on a nationwide strike in May 2024 over unpaid wage arrears and poor working conditions. Unions including NUATE, AUPCTRE, and ANAP issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding payment of 45 months’ arrears dating back to 2019, as well as improvements in staff welfare.
Despite repeated assurances, delays in implementing the wage increase had sparked frustration until the recent breakthrough in May.