Airport Reporters

Keyamo flags off construction of new corporate headquarters in Abuja  The Federal Government has formally launched the construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja, in what has been described as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation modernization drive. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Thursday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was performed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who referred to the project as “a declaration of intent and a tangible demonstration of our unwavering commitment to modernizing the critical infrastructure that underpins the safety, efficiency, and growth of Nigerian aviation.” Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Minister emphasized that the project represents a strategic response to the need to consolidate NAMA’s administrative and operational functions into a modern, purpose-built facility capa...

  Unions caution against criticisms on aviation policy issues  ......Welcome  constructive industry discourse  Aviation unions in the country under the umbrella of Joint Council in Session have unanimously disagreed with  recent policy and administrative criticisms made by retired Group Captain John Ojikutu, a former Military Commandant of Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The three unions, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) said the Council at a meeting held 24 February, 2026, viewed his statements as misleading, provocative, and deliberately calculated to cast aspersions on a management team of FAAN that is demonstrably repositioning the aviation sector in line with international standards. According to the chairmen of the Committee, they noted that while constructive industry discourse is both legitimate and welco...

BASL affirms collaboration with media for national development  .....As FRCN Lagos Operations pays courtesy visit  The Acting Chief Operating Officer and Head Aeronautical Services, Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, Mr. Remi Jibodu, has restated the terminal’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media to advance innovation and economic development in Nigeria. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Director of Lagos Operations of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Princess Adenike Adegoke, Mr. Jibodu described the engagement as a strategic partnership between two critical institutions, aviation and broadcasting, saying it is  pivotal for  national growth.  He commended the corporation’s expansive network and longstanding role in promoting national integration, public awareness and development initiatives across the country, noting that deeper cooperation would help amplify positive stories within the aviation industry. Jibodu emphasized ...

                                20 Years. One Mission: Making  Nigeria's Travel Trade Unstoppable By Temilade  Adu                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ...

 MMIA fire outbreak: NUATE boss commends FAAN fire personnel swift response  -seeks priority in training  The president of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) Comrade Ben Nnabue has commended the personnel of the FAAN ARFFS department for their exceptional professionalism and swift emergency response during the fire outbreak at MMIA Terminal 1 on Monday.  In a press statement by Comrade Nnabue, he said the gallantry and bravery displayed by the officers, alongside other assisting emergency responders, ensured the safe rescue of all occupants within the terminal at the time of the incident.  "We are grateful that no lives were lost, a testament to the high level of skill and dedication exhibited by these heroes"  According to the NUATE boss, the remarkable outcome highlights the importance of the professional training and retraining programs undertaken by the officers and men of the FAAN ARFFS. Nnabue said it emphasizes the critical role mo...

Keyamo brokers agreement on Enugu Airport concession  The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has  convened a high-level meeting with key aviation unions — the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) — to address outstanding concerns surrounding the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. The crucial engagement, held in the spirit of transparency and collaboration, provided a platform for frank discussions on workers’ welfare, job security, and the long-term sustainability of the airport under the proposed concession arrangement. Following extensive and constructive dialogue facilitated by the  Minister, all parties reached a mutually beneficial agreement that safeguards the interests of aviation workers while advancing the Federal Government’s infrastructure development objectives. A...

  Comment on the CBN MPR decision by Lukman Otunuga, Senior Market Analyst, FXTM The CBN decision is likely to have a stabilizing and even potentially positive impact on the Naira, which has gained 6% year-to-date. Growing confidence over the Nigerian economy in the face of lower rates, FX liquidity and rising FX reserves which reached a 13-year high should provide a solid foundation for the Naira. Even with the 50-bp rate cut, real rates remain high when accounting for inflation. Most importantly, Nigeria’s interest rate is still one of the highest in Africa which may attract foreign portfolio investors, lending the Naira further support.”

 NDLEA RAIDS DRY-SEASON CANNABIS FARMS IN EDO INTERCEPTS 1,956.92KG CANNABIS, ARRESTS SEVEN Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command have launched a series of successful operations, including a dry season cannabis farm destruction. According to Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, the State Commander of the anti-narcotic agency, officers located three farms at Etiosa Forest in Owan West Local Government measuring 0.145307, 0.203658, and 0.157772 hectares. A total of 1,956.92kg of cannabis was intercepted and seven suspected drug traffickers apprehended during the operations. The operation, guided by an intelligence report, resulted in the destruction of 0.506737 hectares with an estimated yield of 1,266.85kg of cannabis. Additionally, officers recovered 23 kilograms of processed cannabis during the operation, and two suspects, including a 68-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Ogenewu, and a 43-year-old, Friday Iruoje, were taken into custody...

 MMIA fire:NATCA calls for comprehensive safety evaluation of control towers in Nigeria  The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive safety evaluation of all Control Towers in Nigeria in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices. In a press release signed by the president of NATCA, Amos Edino, after the fire incident at the MMIA Terminal, it urged the government to also expedite the completion of the Safe Tower Project, particularly at MMIA, to provide a secure, modern, and resilient working environment for operational personnel. Edino said the incident called for urgent government action as it has once again exposed critical infrastructural and safety gaps that require immediate attention. NATCA boss explained that during the incident, professional staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Air Traffic Controllers working in towe...

  BASL enhances inclusive passenger experience  ....Trains personnel on autism awareness, care at MMA2  Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), has reinforced its commitment to improving passenger experience by training its customer-facing staff on autism awareness, care, and inclusive service delivery. The training was facilitated by Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative and led by Solape Azazi, WHO CST Master Trainer.  The training is aimed at equipping frontline airport personnel with the knowledge, sensitivity, and practical skills required to effectively support passengers on the autism spectrum and their families.  It focused on understanding autism fundamentals and concepts, identifying signs of sensory overload or distress, demonstrating effective communication strategies, and encouraging teamwork that prioritizes compassion, dignity, and understanding for every traveler. Speaking on the...

 NIGERIA ACHIEVES IMPRESSIVE PROGRESS AS ICAO WACAF CONCLUDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MISSION Nigeria achieved an impressive outing as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Western and Central African Office (WACAF) Regional Office Safety Team (ROST) concluded its technical assistance mission. At the debriefing ceremony held at Authority’s Corporate Headquarters on Thursday, 19th February, 2026, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, described the mission as a constructive and rigorous engagement that has further boosted Nigeria’s level of readiness for the ICAO International Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) slated for 15th –22th April, 2026. He, however, assured the ICAO delegation that all recommendations arising from the mission would be incorporated into an accelerated action framework with clearly defined timelines, measurable outcomes, and strengthened inter-directorate coordination. While expressing appreciation to ICAO WACAF, Ban...

  FAAN, MTN Nigeria Launch Free Airport WiFi Service  The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with MTN Nigeria, has launched free WiFi services at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 2, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The official launch of the internet service took place at MMIA Terminal 2, Lagos, and was launched by the Managing Director/Chief Executive, FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, who was represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Captain Abdullahi Mahmood. Also present was Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Nigeria, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Karl Toriola. The WiFi service, which is completely free for passengers and airport users, will be extended to the MMIA temporary terminal and other international airports across the country within the next three months. In his address, Captain Mahmood described the launch as a milestone for FAAN and a benchm...

   FAAN reaffirms commitment to nationwide cashless system .... Strengthens stakeholder engagement  The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has firmly reiterated the Authority’s resolve to fully implement a cashless payment system across all airport payment points nationwide, effective February 28, 2026. The reaffirmation came during a visit by executives and members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), who sought clarification on the decision to discontinue cash transactions at airports. The engagement provided an opportunity for robust dialogue, reflecting FAAN’s open-door policy and commitment to inclusive stakeholder consultation. In her address, the MD/CE emphasised that the transition to a cashless system is not only in line with global best practices in aviation management but also consistent with Federal Government directives aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability,...

  Overland Airways achieves ISO certification   ....Strengthens commitment to global quality standards   Overland Airways has officially received its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s continued commitment to operational excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction. The certification follows months of rigorous audits and scrutiny conducted in line with international best practices established by the International Organization for Standardization. The certificate was formally presented at a ceremony held at the airline’s Head Office Boardroom at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. In her opening remarks, the Chief Administrative Officer and ISO Champion, Mrs. Aanu Benson, highlighted that the achievement reflects the airline’s dedication to embedding quality into every aspect of its operations. The certificate presentation was led by Mr. Noruwa Edokpolo, Managing Director of NECA’s Globa...

  Ibom Air Honoured with Corporate Impact Award for Advancing Cancer Care Ibom Air has been recognized with the Corporate Impact Award by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter. According to MWAN, the award celebrates the airline’s exceptional leadership, distinguished corporate citizenship, and unwavering partnership in advancing cancer care initiatives within the state. The honour was conferred on February 14, 2026, during the Investiture ceremony of the 17th President of the MWAN, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, held in Uyo. The award recognises Ibom Air’s steadfast commitment to health as one of the core pillars of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. In addition to this, Ibom Air was conferred with the Founding Patron Award for the MWAN Cancer Treatment Endowment Fund which serves to support treatment access and hope for indigent patients, thereby strengthening the collective impact and restoring dignity to countless lives....

United Nigeria Airlines' team engage FAAN in strategic meeting in Lagos  United Nigeria Airlines team led by the Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) team led by the MD/CEO Olubumi Kuku held a strategic meeting at FAAN Headquarters in Lagos to strengthen collaborations and address aviation environmental safety, MRO support, airport operating hours, infrastructure upgrades and United Nigeria Airlines growth plans. During the meeting, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo  highlighted the rising incidence of bird strikes, describing them as a major operational and financial challenge for airlines.  He also highlighted the constraints of sunrise and sunset airports, state of category II airports, noting that limited operating hours and lack of adequate facilities often disrupt schedules and cause delays. He flagged the increasing issue of unruly passenger behaviour.  Additionally, a request for land allocation for the development of a Maint...

 Week Ahead: Nigeria CPI cools, US-Iran talks & US PCE in focus By Lukman Otunuga, Senior Market Analyst, FXTM In a welcome development for Nigeria’s economy, inflation unexpectedly slowed in January, with prices rising 15.1% year-on-year. This represented a slight decline from 15.2% in December and was well below the 19.5% medium estimate. Lower food prices have helped offset inflationary pressures, paving the way for the CBN to cut rates in February after leaving benchmark rates at 27% in November. In addition, the argument for lower rates has also been reinforced by Naira’s 8% appreciation against the dollar year-to-date. So, the question is not if but how much the CBN will slash interest rates next week. Outside of Nigeria, it’s a quiet start to another potentially busy week for markets. The dollar is rangebound, gold is lower, bitcoin lacks direction, while oil benchmarks await a fundamental spark. Nevertheless, things could spice up thanks to top-tier data and geopolitica...

  Ibom Air Shares Love Beyond Words This Valentine Season Valentine’s Day is traditionally a time when brands express appreciation to their customers and communities, and this year was no different for Ibom Air. However, rather than simply talking about love, the airline chose to demonstrate it in meaningful and memorable ways. Throughout the Valentine period, passengers across Ibom Air routes were greeted with thoughtful gestures designed to make every journey feel special in a carefully curated fly for love campaign. From Valentine cards tucked into hip bags to premium chocolates distributed at check-in counters, the airline ensured that customers experienced warmth from the moment they arrive. Check-in Counters had festive decorations which radiated celebration and Love. It was not just a Valentine message; it was a full expression of appreciation in action. A key highlight of the campaign was the reward of an all expense paid trip to a couple who have never flown before, making...

 FG’s policy opportunity for womens'  aspiration   in aviation industry, says NCAA Lagos Regional Manager The Lagos Regional Manager of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Barrister Bukola Teriba has urged women in the aviation industry to take advantage of the federal government’s favourable policy toward women in the sector to aim for greater heights in their various careers. Mrs. Teriba affirmed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has given rooms for Nigerian women to showcase their capabilities and professionalism as many women now occupied various managerial positions in the different agencies under the ministry of aviation. The NCAA Lagos RM spoke after receiving "The Woman of the Day” award from the Women in Aviation (WAI) at the 2025 award night in Lagos where she said “President Tinubu’s government has given women more leadership opportunities in the aviation sector. “Women are taking up leadership positions in the sector and it is something we must en...

 PHIA Set To Implement New Car Park, Access Gate Tariff The management of the Port Hacourt International Airport, says, the recent increase in in tariff on it's car park and access gate will take effect from March 1st , 2026  In an internal memo by the PHIA management to all heads of department dated February 12, 2026, directed that there should be sensitization of the public especially airport users of the new development. According to the memo, with the new tariff, cars  will have to pay N500, SUV/JEEP N1000, Coaster bus N2000 at car park and access gate, while overnight parking will attract N10000. Trailer/ container above 6 tyres will pay N3000 at access gate. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria recently announced increase in tariff across airports in the country. Cars using the access gate with the new charges will pay N500.

 Air Peace Unveils Executive Lounge on Valentine’s Day ..Elevating Premium Travel Experience On a day globally celebrated for love and appreciation, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, reaffirmed its commitment to cherishing its customers with the grand opening of its Executive Lounge at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2 on February 14, 2026. The Valentine’s Day unveiling symbolised more than a ribbon-cutting ceremony; it represented the airline’s enduring dedication to comfort, excellence, and the continued elevation of premium travel across its expanding network. The milestone event drew the presence of the airline’s management and staff, members of the press, and esteemed First and Business Class passengers on the airline’s much-talked-about London service. Among the distinguished guests was former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Peter Obi, who joined in commemorating what marks another significant stride in the airline’s g...