Key Points

• The aviation unions announced their intention to close airports starting March 31, 2025 as a result of a customs officer assaulting the FAAN director.
• The unions have initiated two action points including airport customs officer personnel reductions and mutual respect standards creation at transport facilities.
• According to Customs leadership the incident occurred due to miscommunication whereas the unions call for stronger measures.

The nationwide airport closure threatens to begin on March 31, 2025 according to Nigerian aviation unions because of their demands regarding a FAAN customs official who assaulted the Director of Aviation Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

Three aviation unions namely National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) delivered this deadline through a statement carrying representatives’ signatures.

 Aviation workers demand action on assaults

Industrial union members have declared their irritation about continuous assaults of FAAN employees both physically and mentally and stress that this pattern cannot be accepted.

The unions required authorities to decrease customs officer personnel in civil aviation services to match international standards.

Aviation workers promoted the establishment of respectful frameworks which should exist between FAAN staff members and security personnel performing duties at airports.

Warning of industrial action

The unions have set March 31, 2025 as the beginning date to pull all workers from airport duties unless the government resolves the issue.

According to associations the physical attack on the Director of Aviation Security along with unsolved staff safety concerns represent the end of their patience leading to a predicted industrial disaster if administration refuses to protect airport workers.

Customs response

Abdullahi Maiwada from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) noted that the disagreement between FAAN and customs officers occurred due to misplaced information about equipment relocation and seating plan procedures.

The unions believe the justification provided by management is insufficient to solve ongoing difficulties at work.