Employees of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are protesting against the management's recent decision to make enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) mandatory for all staff members. Historically, participation in this health insurance scheme has been optional, and the abrupt shift to compulsory enrollment has caused significant anxiety among workers. They feel that the management did not engage in sufficient consultation or provide adequate information before issuing this directive, leading to a sense of unease within the organization.

The impetus for the change appears to be rooted in an internal memorandum dated February 17, 2026, which was signed by Dr. Emiola Olatunbosun, the Director of Human Resources and Administration and Chairman of the FAAN NHIS-HMO Committee. This memo urged personnel to register for their choice of Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) from a list of approved providers, thus emphasizing the management's commitment to enhance healthcare provisions amid staff dissent. By enforcing these new measures, management aims to align with national health policies, but must also address employee concerns to foster trust and transparency.

The protest underscores a broader issue of employee welfare and communication within Federal agencies in Nigeria. With many workers feeling sidelined in this decision-making process, there is potential for further unrest unless management responds to these grievances. This situation could inspire other public sector employees to reevaluate their own health coverage options and may lead to discussions about employee rights and the importance of stakeholder engagement in such significant policy changes.