A former pilot of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, John Okezie, has appealed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to urgently authorise the release of long-approved severance and pension benefits owed to ex-workers of the airline.

More than 20 years after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, former employees and pensioners, many of whom are now aged, have continued to live in hardship, neglect, and uncertainty, the senior citizens claimed.

Okezie, who now suffers from a partial stroke, in a Save Our Soul letter sent to The PUNCH, emphasised that once-proud representatives of Nigeria across Africa and the world now face old age without the benefits due to them after decades of service.

In mid-2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of outstanding benefits amounting to N36bn, a decision that rekindled hope among the ageing former staff that long-delayed justice had finally arrived. However, nearly eight months after the approval, the funds have not been released.

According to Okezie, the delay, which he attributed to prolonged bureaucratic processes, has had devastating consequences for the ex-staff.

He said many former employees are unable to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care. Some are reportedly bedridden with chronic illnesses, while others have died quietly without receiving their entitlements.

He lamented, “These are not just numbers or files on a desk. They are former pilots, engineers, cabin crew, technicians, accountants, administrators, and support staff who upheld Nigeria’s image and aviation standards for years. They served with loyalty and pride, only to be left to suffer in their old age.”

Okezie, who disclosed that he has lived with partial paralysis since 2010, described the situation as deeply painful and demoralising for surviving pensioners, many of whom feel abandoned by the country they faithfully served.

He questioned why payments already approved by the President should still be subjected to delays, describing the situation as “costing lives.”

“The continued withholding of these funds is no longer just an administrative issue; it is a humanitarian crisis. Every day of delay translates into more hunger, worsening illness, and preventable deaths among senior citizens who no longer have the strength or time to wait indefinitely,” he stated.

He therefore urged the Minister of Finance to act without further delay, stressing that the ₦36bn severance benefits are legal entitlements under international labour standards, not a favour.

He said, “Justice delayed, especially for elderly pensioners, is justice denied. Nigeria should not be remembered as a country that abandons those who served her diligently.”