Nigeria: Unionized aviation workers plan protests and strikes at airports nationwide Sept. 18

Unionized aviation agency workers plan to conduct strikes and protests at airports nationwide on Sept. 18. The agencies that will be affected by the protests are the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NMA), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Approximately five aviation unions are organizing protests against the government's alleged refusal to end income deductions for key aviation agencies. Union officials claim that the current deductions are impacting the agencies' critical safety activities.

Unless averted, the strikes are likely to disrupt flight and airport operations nationwide on Sept. 18. Disruptions may linger for several hours after work resumes. While unions have called for protests at all Nigerian airports, they have not yet disclosed exact times or locations. Demonstrations are also possible at government agency offices. Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near any demonstrations that take shape.