The President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima, has stressed that airline operators in Nigeria must strictly comply with all labour and safety regulations, warning that failure to do so threatens both workers’ welfare and aviation safety.
Speaking as he nears the end of his second tenure, Galadima highlighted the struggles his administration faced, from airline collapses to COVID-19 disruptions, and how NAAPE worked to protect pilots and engineers while ensuring industry stability.
Galadima, who has led NAAPE since 2017, criticised airline operators that discourage staff from unionising or delay the remittance of union dues, calling such practices a violation of Nigerian labour laws.
“There should be no ambiguity. Compliance with labour laws is not optional,” he said.
“Unionisation is a constitutional right, not a favour from airlines. Employers must allow workers to associate freely and remit union dues as required by law.”
He revealed that some airlines secretly threaten employees who attempt to join unions, while others block NAAPE’s involvement in dispute resolution.
Despite these obstacles, Galadima said many workers still rely on NAAPE during crises.
“When companies collapse or downsize, these same workers who were discouraged from joining unions often return to seek protection,” he explained.
The NAAPE leader also raised concerns over the abuse of expatriate quota permits, alleging that some airlines exploit loopholes to employ foreign professionals even where local capacity exists.
“The expatriate quota system is clear — no foreigner should be employed where Nigerians are qualified and available.
Unfortunately, monitoring is weak, and many airlines ignore the requirement to train local understudies,” Galadima said.
He urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Ministry of Interior to strengthen oversight, warning that the continued neglect of local talent undermines Nigeria’s aviation growth.
Reflecting on his tenure, Galadima recalled how NAAPE dealt with the takeover of Aero Contractors and Arik Air by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which left thousands of workers facing redundancy.
“After tough battles, 95 percent of what our members were owed has now been paid,” he said, noting that NAAPE fought consistently to secure compensation for affected staff.
He also described how COVID-19 forced mass layoffs across airlines, including the dismissal of 69 pilots at once.
Through negotiations, NAAPE secured improved compensation packages, enabling many members to transition into other ventures.
Galadima highlighted several milestones achieved under his leadership:
Establishment of NAAPE’s first national secretariat in Ikeja.
Introduction of the Safety Evaluation Index, which scientifically ranks airline safety performance.
Launch of a compendium celebrating 50 outstanding Nigerian pilots and engineers.
Affiliation with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and International Workers’ Federation, giving NAAPE stronger global influence.
Creation of Penn Aviation Institute, an aviation training organisation awaiting NCAA certification, aimed at boosting manpower development and NAAPE’s financial sustainability.
Introduction of compensation packages for families of deceased members.
Establishment of a Women’s Commission, giving female professionals greater representation in the aviation sector.
“These achievements show that NAAPE is not just about protests. We are building capacity, protecting workers, and contributing to aviation growth,” he said.
Galadima stressed that Nigeria urgently needs more Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to provide training and employment for young pilots and engineers.
“In countries like Morocco, multiple MROs open up space for training and skill development. Nigeria must replicate that model if we want to grow local aviation talent,” he said.
Despite challenges, Galadima reaffirmed NAAPE’s commitment to defending its members.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. We will always stand by our members, whether it is over unfair dismissals, expatriate quota abuse, or unruly passengers,” he declared.
As he prepares to hand over leadership in the coming weeks, Galadima urged the government, regulators, and airlines to work together to ensure Nigeria’s aviation sector remains globally competitive while respecting the rights and welfare of its workforce.