CHUKS OKOH
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has officially re-engaged its former General Secretary, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, to help reposition the union and strengthen its administrative secretariat.
The strategic move is aimed at bolstering the union’s operational capacity as it tackles an increasing workload and seeks to reclaim its prominent standing within the aviation industry.
Speaking on the development, President of ATSSSAN, Comrade John Ogala Ogbe, highlighted that Abioye’s extensive experience as a veteran trade unionist will provide crucial support to the current Secretariat and General Secretary during this transitional phase.
”Part of what we are trying to do is to rejig and reposition ATSSSAN to our pride of place,” the union leadership stated. “We have a significant volume of work required to churn out, and we need support for our current General Secretary. Comrade Abioye is a veteran who understands trade unionism inside and out. His coming on board will bring immense benefits not only to ATSSSAN, but to the entire aviation labor sector.”
Abioye, who previously retired after years of service as ATSSSAN’s General Secretary, brings a wealth of institutional knowledge back to the organization. Leadership expressed strong confidence that his return will foster a productive working relationship and enhance union advocacy across the sector.
Comrade Abioye has worked in almost all the unions in the aviation industry where he performed creditably by acting as bridge between workers, government and private organisations in the sector.
Comrade Olayinka Abioye is one of the most prominent, vocal, and respected figures in Nigerian aviation trade unionism. Over several decades, he has built a reputation as a fierce defender of workers’ rights, industry safety standards, and administrative accountability.
Before moving full-time into union administration, Abioye worked in the Communications Department of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). This hands-on, operational experience provided him with an insider’s perspective on safety protocols, navigation equipment, and air traffic operations.
He served for years as the General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE). During his tenure, he became a household name across Nigerian airports, leading joint union actions, protesting unpaid staff entitlements, and advocating for fair conditions across airlines and regulatory agencies.
Abioye played a leading role in forging strong labor coalitions across the industry, coordinating joint actions between NUATE, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
