The Federal Government has approved the release of N4.04 billion for the payment of outstanding severance benefits to 600 former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited.
The Ministry of Finance announced the disbursement on Monday, stating that it covered beneficiaries in batches 010 and 011.
Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance, disclosed the development in a statement, describing the payment as part of the government's efforts to settle outstanding obligations to former workers of the national carrier.
The latest disbursement follows the N18 billion payment announced in September 2026 for 2,700 former employees covered by the first nine batches.
According to the ministry, the gross severance benefits for the latest 600 beneficiaries amounted to N4,251,043,000.19, while deductions stood at N212,552,150.01.
This left a net sum of N4,038,490,850.18 available for payment.
“The payment forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to address long-standing severance obligations to former Nigeria Airways employees,” the statement said.
The ministry explained that the disbursements were being made in batches to ensure proper verification of beneficiaries and their records before approved entitlements were paid.
It said the process was designed to ensure that the funds reached the rightful recipients while protecting public resources from improper payments.
Acknowledging the prolonged delay in settling the workers' entitlements, the government assured former employees and their families of its determination to resolve legitimate outstanding claims.
“The Federal Government recognises the prolonged wait experienced by former employees and their families and remains committed to resolving legitimate outstanding claims through an orderly and transparent process, while safeguarding public funds through appropriate verification,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Finance also pledged to sustain its support for the implementation of approved government obligations in line with established procedures and applicable payment processes.
The latest release brings the government's recent disbursements to former Nigeria Airways employees to more than N22 billion, based on the September payment of N18 billion and the newly announced N4.04 billion release.
Nigeria Airways, the country's former national carrier, was liquidated after years of financial and operational difficulties, leaving former workers pursuing outstanding entitlements.
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