The Federal Government has commenced the payment of ₦18 billion in outstanding severance benefits to 2,700 former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja.

According to Oyedele, 2,100 former workers covered under batches one to seven have already received their payments, while the government is finalising payments to another 600 beneficiaries in batches eight and nine.

FG Begins Settlement of Long-Standing Obligation

The minister said the payment followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the long-standing financial obligations owed to former Nigeria Airways employees.

He explained that the government had to undertake extensive verification before releasing the funds to ensure that legitimate beneficiaries were paid and public resources were protected from fraudulent claims.

The verification process reportedly included biometric registration as well as checks of beneficiaries’ personnel and banking records.

Over 20 Years of Waiting

The former Nigeria Airways employees had been waiting for their severance benefits for more than 20 years following the liquidation of the airline.

Oyedele acknowledged that the prolonged delay had affected many beneficiaries, with some former workers growing old while waiting and others passing away, leaving their families to pursue the outstanding payments.

He said settling the obligation was important despite the lengthy delay, describing the payment as an issue involving not only money but also the dignity and trust of citizens.

Government Addresses Outstanding Cases

Oyedele said the Federal Government was also working to resolve cases involving outdated records, incorrect bank details and beneficiaries who had died.

Where beneficiaries have passed away, their families may need to complete the necessary documentation before the outstanding funds can be processed.

The minister stressed that the government would continue to verify claims carefully to ensure that genuine former workers or their rightful beneficiaries receive what they are owed.

Payment Covers 2,700 Former Workers

The ₦18 billion payment represents benefits for 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers, according to the Finance Minister.

While 2,100 beneficiaries have already been paid, the remaining 600 beneficiaries in batches eight and nine are being processed for payment.

The development brings renewed attention to the long-running issue of unpaid entitlements inherited from the liquidation of Nigeria Airways.

The government said the intervention forms part of efforts to settle legitimate inherited obligations while improving transparency and accountability in public financial management.

For the former workers and their families, the payment marks a significant development after more than two decades of waiting for benefits arising from their employment with Nigeria’s former national carrier.