…Condemn nationwide grounding, urge unions to return to negotiation table

Nigerian diaspora groups have condemned the nationwide grounding of Air Peace operations by aviation labour unions, warning that the action could undermine one of the country’s most successful indigenous airlines and send the wrong signal to investors at a time Nigeria needs to encourage local enterprise.

The groups, under the aegis of a coalition of diaspora and development organisations, described the industrial action as excessive, particularly as negotiations between the unions and the airline were still ongoing.

They called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to urgently intervene in the dispute and ensure that the disagreement does not escalate into a crisis capable of causing further damage to Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The coalition acknowledged the right of workers to organise and belong to unions of their choice, stressing that unionism remains an important pillar of industrial relations and democratic practice.

However, it argued that the legitimate pursuit of workers’ rights must be balanced with the need to protect businesses, jobs, investment and the overall stability of the economy.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, President of the Global Peace Movement International, Dr. Mike Uyi, said labour unions should not deploy actions that could weaken businesses under the guise of protecting workers.

Uyi said, “We support the right of workers to organise and belong to unions of their choice. That right must be respected. But unionism cannot become an instrument for destroying the very businesses that provide employment for Nigerian workers.

“You cannot weaken the strong to make the weak strong. If an indigenous airline is weakened or forced into decisions that threaten its sustainability, the ultimate losers will not only be the owners. Workers, passengers, suppliers, the government and the Nigerian economy will also bear the consequences.”

The groups said they were particularly disturbed by the decision to ground Air Peace while discussions on the issues in contention were still taking place, describing the development as a demonstration of poor faith in the negotiation process.

They questioned what the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other unions hoped to achieve by shutting down the operations of a major Nigerian airline rather than allowing negotiations to produce a mutually acceptable resolution.

“What does the NLC have to gain by grounding Air Peace?” the coalition asked, stressing that the objective of industrial relations should ultimately be to achieve sustainable solutions rather than create circumstances that could cripple businesses.

The coalition also questioned what it described as the selective nature of the enforcement action, arguing that the issue of remittance of statutory charges is not peculiar to Air Peace. According to the groups, if other airlines are also involved in outstanding remittance obligations, the decision to single out Air Peace for a nationwide shutdown raises serious questions about the underlying objective of the action. 

“The entire gang-up appears to be aimed at taking Air Peace out of operation. If the remittance issue affects airlines generally, why is Air Peace the one being stopped from operating? There must be fairness, consistency and transparency in the application of regulatory and labour measures,” the coalition said.

The coalition said those concerns should be properly investigated and addressed through negotiation, regulatory intervention and, where necessary, lawful processes.

It, however, cautioned that genuine grievances should not be used as justification for actions capable of bringing the operations of an airline to a standstill.

The groups therefore appealed to Keyamo to intervene immediately and bring the contending parties back to the negotiating table.

According to the coalition, Air Peace has become a symbol of Nigerian entrepreneurship and a major contributor to the development of the country's aviation industry.

“Air Peace is not merely an airline. It is one of the clearest examples of what Nigerian enterprise can achieve when local capital, vision and determination are allowed to thrive,” Uyi said.

He added that the airline’s contribution should not be viewed through an ethnic lens.

The coalition rejected narratives portraying Air Peace as an “Igbo airline”, insisting that the company is a national business whose services cut across ethnic, religious and regional boundaries.

It also dismissed claims attempting to associate the airline’s choice of cabin crew attire with Ebubeagu, describing such narratives as divisive and unsupported.

“Air Peace is a Nigerian airline. Its passengers are Nigerians and international travellers from different backgrounds. Its employees come from different parts of the country. Reducing a national business to an ethnic enterprise because of the identity of its founders is unfortunate and dangerous,” the groups said.

The coalition further expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of controversies and operational setbacks involving the airline, saying these have raised questions about whether some interests may be uncomfortable with the growth of a strong indigenous competitor in the aviation industry.

While stopping short of making unsubstantiated claims of deliberate sabotage, the groups said Air Peace had on at least three different occasions faced developments which, in their view, threatened its operations and reputation.

They urged relevant authorities to ensure that the airline is given a level playing field and is not subjected to unnecessary pressures capable of undermining its competitiveness.

The groups also drew attention to Air Peace’s humanitarian interventions and contributions to national causes, saying the airline had on several occasions assisted Nigerians and supported national efforts during critical moments.

Uyi warned that continually frustrating indigenous businesses could have a chilling effect on entrepreneurs who might otherwise be willing to commit their resources to national development.

“One of the reasons many well-meaning Nigerians are reluctant to invest heavily in this country is the fear that after building a successful business, different interests will emerge to frustrate the enterprise.

“We cannot continue to demand that Nigerians build businesses, create jobs, pay taxes and support the country, while creating an environment in which their businesses can easily be brought to their knees.

“When businesses succeed, Nigeria succeeds. When Nigerian businesses collapse, Nigerians lose jobs, government loses revenue and the economy suffers,” he said.

The coalition maintained that protecting Air Peace does not mean shielding the company from legitimate accountability.

It said the airline, like every other corporate organisation, must comply with applicable laws, regulations and agreements, while workers must also have their legitimate rights protected.

The groups therefore urged all parties to approach the dispute with maturity and patriotism, stressing that the current disagreement should not be allowed to degenerate into an industrial confrontation with wider consequences for the aviation sector.

They called on the Federal Government, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, labour unions and Air Peace management to prioritise dialogue and reach an agreement that protects workers while preserving the viability of the airline.

The coalition warned that the shutdown of domestic aviation operations could have serious consequences for passengers, businesses, tourism, cargo movement and the wider economy.

It urged the unions to reconsider continued industrial action and allow the ongoing negotiations to run their course.

The groups maintained that Nigeria needs stronger indigenous businesses, more investment and a more competitive aviation sector, insisting that industrial relations must be managed in a manner that promotes rather than undermines these objectives.

The statement was jointly endorsed by the Global Peace Movement International, led by Dr. Mike Uyi; The International Watchers, chaired by Dr. Olusegun Ademola; the Nigerian Heritage and Development Agenda, represented by its Secretary General, Dr. Imatitikwa Igbinoba; the Sustained Policy and Reform Coalition, headed by Dr. Hauwa Ladi Usman; the Nigerian Interest Protection Forum, chaired by Dr. Chidebere Chiamaka Ifesinachi; and the Diaspora Accountability Network Nigeria, represented by its Secretary General, Dr. Beatrice Etim-Onyemachi.