A coalition of aviation unions says Air Peace staff drove buses onto a Lagos airport taxiway during a picketing exercise. The unions want the National Security Adviser to investigate and prosecute anyone found responsible.
The Petition
The unions sent the petition to the National Security Adviser. They allege that Air Peace management and staff drove five branded buses onto the taxiway and manoeuvring area of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on August 11, 2026.
They say the move disrupted flights and threatened aviation safety. The petition calls it a national security concern. Any unauthorised blocking of critical airport infrastructure, the unions warned, could endanger passengers, crew and airport staff.
It was signed by Frances Akinjole of the Airline Staff and Service Association of Nigeria, Igene P.I.A of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and Umoho Otonime of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.
Why the Unions Were Picketing
The unions had served picketing notices on 16 domestic airlines, most of them members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria. They accuse the carriers of blocking workers from unionising and of failing to remit the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) collected from passengers.
On unionisation, they cite Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the Labour Act, the Trade Unions Act and International Labour Organization Conventions 87 and 98.
On the TSC, they say the unpaid funds have hurt several aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology. According to the petition, the non-remittance has made collective bargaining agreements impossible to implement. It also warned that growing anger among workers could threaten industrial peace and safety.
What Happened on the Day
To avoid grounding flights nationwide, the unions said they chose to picket airlines one after another. Air Peace was first, on August 11.
They insist the protest was peaceful and lawful. It took place at the airline’s operational office and counter area, they said, not on the airside.
The unions further allege that some Air Peace staff turned violent against unarmed union members and tried to turn passengers against them. Members stayed calm and did not retaliate, they said. The picketing was suspended that afternoon after Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and airport security agencies stepped in.
