The Federal Government has paid ₦18 billion in outstanding severance benefits to former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, bringing relief to thousands of beneficiaries who have waited for years to receive their entitlements.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the payment was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to settling legitimate outstanding obligations owed to Nigerians.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, payments have been concluded for 2,100 beneficiaries across Batches 1 to 7, while the processing of payments for another 600 beneficiaries under Batches 8 and 9 is being finalised.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the settlement of outstanding severance obligations owed to former Nigeria Airways workers.
Oyedele said the beneficiaries and their families had endured a prolonged wait for the payment of their legitimate entitlements.
“Behind these figures are people and families who have waited for years to receive what is legitimately due to them,” he said.
He added that the government’s responsibility was to address outstanding obligations, complete the necessary processes and ensure that Nigerians affected by such obligations felt the positive impact of government.
The minister said the exercise demonstrated what could be achieved when government institutions worked together to resolve longstanding issues while maintaining appropriate safeguards in the management of public funds.
The Ministry explained that the payment process involved extensive verification of beneficiaries’ records, including biometric capture and validation of personal and banking information.
The verification exercise was designed to ensure that the funds reached only legitimate beneficiaries and to strengthen accountability and transparency in the disbursement process.
The payment represents a significant step by the Federal Government towards resolving the longstanding financial obligations to former Nigeria Airways employees.
By Chief Edet Isong