Government has commenced payment of ₦18 billion in outstanding severance benefits to 2,100 former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.
In a statement on Friday, the Federal Ministry of Finance said payments had been concluded for 2,100 beneficiaries across Batches 1 to 7, while another 600 beneficiaries under Batches 8 and 9 are being finalised for payment in the coming days.
The payment follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the settlement of outstanding severance obligations owed to former Nigeria Airways workers.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the exercise was part of government’s commitment to addressing legitimate outstanding obligations owed to Nigerians, noting that the affected persons had waited years for what was due to them.
He said the payment process demonstrated what could be achieved when government institutions worked together to resolve longstanding issues, while safeguards were maintained in the management of public funds.
The ministry said the exercise involved extensive verification of beneficiary records, including biometric capture and validation of personal and banking details, to ensure funds reached legitimate beneficiaries.
