FAAN 2016 hires cry foul over promotion discrimination

…Agency denies bias, insists due process was followed

By Chinelo Obogo

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Workers employed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in 2016 have raised concerns over alleged discrimination in recent promotion exercises, accusing the agency of sidelining eligible staff in the process.

The aggrieved workers claim that the criteria used were unfair and lacked transparency, prompting calls for a review of the system.

In treading the path to redress, they have written a petition to the Ministry of Aviation alleging that FAAN’s management has treated two groups of employees recruited in 2016 and 2019 in an unequal manner, despite both groups having been hired under the same entry qualifications, which are O’Level certificates and National Diplomas (ND).

According to the petitioners, both intakes were initially placed on Grade levels 4 and 6 at the time of their recruitment, in line with the organisation’s standards. According to the petitioners, those employed in 2019 were promoted to Grade Level 9 in 2025 and also subsequently permitted to sit for promotion examination on March 24, 2026, placing them on the path to Grade Level 10. The 2016 group, who have spent more years in service, say they have been forgotten without explanation.

“Both groups were recruited with identical qualifications and placed on similar grade levels. Proceeding with further promotions for the 2019 intake while the unresolved grievances of the 2016 intake remain ignored sends a troubling message of institutional neglect and unequal treatment,” the petition read. 

The workers say their frustration has intensified after FAAN management reportedly admitted to the irregularities and promised corrective action, a pledge they claim has yet to be implemented.

In their appeal, the aggrieved employees are urging the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, alongside relevant National Assembly committees and labour unions, to step in without delay. They are seeking a full investigation into the promotion exercise, a temporary suspension of further promotions that could deepen the disparity, and swift resolution of the issues affecting members of the 2016 intake.

The group also urged FAAN management to communicate clearly with staff on the steps being taken to address the matter.

The 2016 intake said their action is not intended to pit employees against one another, but to restore fairness and accountability to an institution they continue to serve.

“A workforce that feels neglected and unfairly treated cannot operate at its highest potential. Persistent dissatisfaction within a safety-critical institution raises serious concerns that should not be ignored,” the petitioners stated.

Daily Sun was unable to get an official response from FAAN, but a very well placed source within the agency said the current management is not responsible for the recruitment of the 2016 and 2019 intakes but that upon assumption of office, the management has remained committed to upholding due process in all human resource matters, including career progression and staff welfare.

The source also told Daily Sun that promotion within FAAN is anchored on performance appraisal, availability of vacancies, and the acquisition of requisite qualifications.

“Staff progression is neither arbitrary nor automatic, but contingent upon meeting these established criteria. Upgrades and promotions granted to any staff category were based strictly on these objective parameters. Where staff members improved their academic qualifications in line with approved procedures, such advancements were duly recognised in accordance with extant rules. Conversely, where such requirements were not met, progression could not be effected outside the framework of the Authority’s regulations,” the source stated.

‎‎The source further said that the current management constituted a committee to review the issues presented and after an assessment, the committee found no substantive merit in the claims of unfair treatment or systemic bias.

‎‎”The report of this committee is available for appropriate internal review and guidance. The promotion examination conducted on March 24, 2026, followed due process and was open to all eligible candidates who met the stipulated criteria and that at no point were any actions taken to deliberately disadvantage any group of staff,” the source stated.