FG Releases Fresh ₦4.04bn for 600 Former Nigeria Airways Workers
The Federal Government has released an additional ₦4.04 billion for the payment of outstanding severance benefits to 600 eligible former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited.
The latest disbursement covers beneficiaries in Batches 010 and 011 and represents another step in the government’s effort to settle long-standing financial obligations to former workers of the national carrier.
The Federal Ministry of Finance announced the release on Monday, October 19, 2026, stating that the payment followed an earlier ₦18 billion disbursement announced in September for former Nigeria Airways workers.
According to the ministry, the latest payment is part of an ongoing process to settle verified claims and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive their approved entitlements.
Breakdown of the ₦4.04 Billion Payment
The Ministry of Finance provided the following breakdown of the benefits for the 600 beneficiaries covered by Batches 010 and 011:
- Number of beneficiaries: 600
- Total gross severance benefits: ₦4,251,043,000.19
- Deductions: ₦212,552,150.01
- Net amount released for payment: ₦4,038,490,850.18
The figures show that the amount available for payment after deductions is approximately ₦4.038 billion, commonly rounded to ₦4.04 billion.
The ministry said the disbursement followed the verification of beneficiaries and their records, a process intended to ensure that payments reach the rightful recipients.
It added that the government remained committed to resolving legitimate outstanding claims through established procedures while protecting public funds.
Total Number of Beneficiaries Rises to 3,300
The latest release follows the ₦18 billion payment announced in September 2026 for former Nigeria Airways employees covered by the first nine batches.
With the addition of the 600 beneficiaries in Batches 010 and 011, the total number of beneficiaries covered by the payment exercise has risen to 3,300 across 11 batches, according to reports citing the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The payments are intended to address severance and other outstanding entitlements owed to former workers following the collapse of the airline.
For many former employees and their families, the settlement represents progress on claims that have remained unresolved for years. However, the latest announcement does not establish that every outstanding claim connected to the defunct airline has been settled.
Government Continues Verification of Outstanding Claims
The Ministry of Finance said the payment process is being carried out in batches based on the verification and validation of beneficiary records.
The exercise is designed to confirm eligibility and ensure that approved funds are paid to the appropriate individuals.
The ministry has also said that verification is continuing for the next of kin of deceased former Nigeria Airways workers. This process is intended to establish the eligibility of claimants and validate their submissions against approved records before outstanding benefits are processed.
The verification process is particularly important in cases involving deceased beneficiaries, where next of kin or representatives may need to provide the necessary documentation and complete the applicable legal procedures.
The government has maintained that verified claims will continue to be processed in line with established payment procedures.
Nigeria Airways’ Long-Standing Severance Obligations
Nigeria Airways Limited was once the country’s national airline but eventually ceased operations, leaving former employees with unresolved financial entitlements.
The continuing payment exercise is intended to address some of those obligations and provide financial relief to eligible former workers and their families.
The latest release also highlights the administrative challenges involved in settling old claims, including confirming beneficiary identities, updating records and validating banking information.
Although the latest payment brings the number of beneficiaries covered by the exercise to 3,300, the government has not indicated in the announcement that all possible claims have been fully resolved.
Former workers and eligible family members awaiting payment will therefore need to follow the relevant verification and communication procedures established by the Ministry of Finance.
What the Latest Release Means
The additional ₦4.04 billion is a further payment towards the government’s outstanding obligations to former Nigeria Airways employees. It brings more eligible beneficiaries into the payment exercise and increases the total number covered to 3,300.
The Ministry of Finance has reiterated that payments will continue to depend on the verification of records and compliance with the applicable procedures.
The latest announcement provides a breakdown of the funds released for the 600 beneficiaries, but it does not provide a final completion date for every remaining claim.
The government’s next steps will therefore include continuing the verification of outstanding cases and processing payments for claimants whose entitlements have been confirmed.
Source: Federal Ministry of Finance; TheCable; BusinessDay; The Guardian Nigeria.
