The President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima insisted airlines must comply with labour laws and regulatory standards in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Near the end of his second tenure, Galadima said many airlines obstruct workers’ rights to unionise despite constitutional guarantees.
“This is not a favour or a courtesy; it is a constitutional right. No airline has the authority to pick and choose which laws they will obey. Compliance with labour laws is not optional,” he stressed.
Galadima noted that while some employers discourage union membership, their staff still pay dues personally to secure protection. He warned that the refusal of airlines to remit union dues violates clear legal obligations.
On expatriate quotas, NAAPE President criticised regulators’ failure to enforce policies prioritising Nigerian pilots and engineers. He said the law allows foreign personnel only without local expertise and requires skill transfer to Nigerians within two years.
“Unfortunately, many operators circumvent the rules. There are no genuine understudy programmes, and government agencies rarely monitor compliance,” he said.
Galadima highlighted NAAPE’s achievements, including compensation for members after airline collapses, better service conditions, and establishing Penn Aviation Institute.
He urged NCAA to strengthen oversight of distressed airlines to protect workers’ welfare, stressing compliance is essential for sustainable aviation.
