By Nnasom David

A four-man delegation of concerned elders representing former Nigeria Airways workers has revealed that the delay in releasing the approved N36 billion final tranche of their entitlements is linked to the inability of relevant authorities to locate the required presidential approval document.

The delegation disclosed this following a fact-finding visit to Abuja between June 16 and 18, 2026.

A statement made available to Vanguard on Thursday said the visit was aimed at determining the status of the long-awaited payment and identifying obstacles delaying the process.

The team, comprising Alhaji Ore Salako, Engr. Ayuba Kyari, Capt. Prex Porbeni and Mr Chris Aligbe, met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

During discussions at the Ministry of Finance, officials informed the delegation that steps had already been initiated to commence payment following approval of the N36 billion entitlement. However, a review of the relevant files revealed that the presidential approval authorising the payment could not be located.

The elders said they were informed that “the payment process remains active,” but that the missing approval document had become the major obstacle preventing its completion.

A Technical Adviser to the Permanent Secretary, Mr Akor Abbah, also confirmed that officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and PICA identified the missing approval as the key challenge.

According to the statement, Abbah explained that “because the amount exceeds the approval threshold of the Honourable Minister of Finance, a fresh submission to Mr President may be required if the original approval cannot be found.”

The delegation said it had submitted letters to the Ministers of Finance and Aviation seeking intervention and would continue engaging relevant agencies to resolve the issue.

The elders described the mission as successful, saying it had provided clarity on the cause of the delay and the steps required to facilitate payment to affected former workers and pensioners of Nigeria Airways.

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