An air traffic controller and Deputy General Manager (Operations) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Oluwole Dada, has promised to make the elimination of casualisation in the aviation sector a top priority if elected National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
Dada who made the pledge while declaring his ambition said widespread use of casual workers across the industry had become unacceptable and detrimental to staff morale, productivity and industrial harmony.
Speaking in Lagos over the weekend while declaring his ambition, Dada said the widespread use of casual workers across the industry had become unacceptable and detrimental to staff morale, productivity and industrial harmony.
He promised that the union under his leadership would deploy sustained engagement, structured dialogue, and firm negotiation tactics to end the practice.
Dada pointed to his experience in NAMA, where casual staff were absorbed into full employment after prolonged union-management engagement, as proof that the problem could be solved when approached with consistency and diplomacy.
While noting that casualisation had become more prevalent in private-sector aviation companies, where many employees remained on irregular contracts for years without clear paths to full employment, Dada said the situation called for stronger union action and a unified strategy.
He stated, “We addressed casualisation successfully in NAMA through constructive dialogue. The same model can work across the sector. Casualisation is unfair, it limits workers’ future and it must be tackled decisively.
“The welfare challenge in private-sector aviation organisations is real. Many workers have remained casual for far too long. My leadership will confront this through peaceful engagement and firm advocacy to ensure that every member enjoys decent working conditions.”
While acknowledging broader welfare issues in the industry, Dada stressed that ending casualisation would serve as a foundation for improving staff motivation and securing long-term industrial peace.
Besides, Dada promised transparent leadership, an inclusive review of the ATSSSAN constitution, stronger unity among affiliate bodies and a post-election reconciliation process to move the union forward.