Airport Reporters

 PASSENGER SAFETY AND SEAMLESS AIRPORT MOBILITY REMAIN FAAN’S PRIORITY The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is committed to ensuring that every passenger who passes through Nigeria’s airports enjoys a safe, secure, orderly and seamless travel experience. As part of this commitment, the Authority has continued to engage stakeholders across the aviation and mobility ecosystem to strengthen transportation services within and around the nation’s airports. Recent public conversations regarding the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, at some Nigerian airports have highlighted the importance of establishing an operational framework that balances passenger convenience with safety, security, accountability and effective airport management. FAAN’s position has never been about restricting passengers’ access to transportation choices or undermining the important role that e-hailing platforms play in modern airport mobility. On the contrary, the Authority rec...

    FAAN resolves Bolt operational challenge ....Appreciates passengers By Henry Agbebire  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) appreciates members of the travelling public for their patience and understanding during the recent period of inconvenience occasioned by efforts to establish an agreeable and sustainable operational framework for e-hailing services at FAAN-managed airports. For nearly a decade, FAAN has been working to address challenges arising from the activities of commercial and e-hailing vehicles within the airport environment, including increasing cases of passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups, and associated safety, security and accountability concerns.  These challenges, which in some instances involve drivers operating across more than one platform, have made it necessary for the Authority to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation within the airport. It was in response to ...

 United Nigeria Airlines celebrates states created on August 27 …Says they have contributed to nation’s economy United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has commemorated the creation of 10 states in August 1991, describing it as a defining moment in Nigeria's history. On August 27, 1991, the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) increased the number of states from 21 to 30. Taraba was created on August 1, 1991, followed by Abia, Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, and Osun on August 27. Yobe State was created shortly afterwards, establishing new hubs across the country. Reflecting on the milestone and why United Nigeria Airlines chose to celebrate, the Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, said that the creation of these states has helped unlock more economic potential across the nation. "These 10 states represent something beautiful and profound. They were born from a vision of bringing Nigeria closer to its people, of saying to every corner of thi...

 NDLEA EDO STATE COMMAND DISMANTLES DRUG OPERATIONS Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command have raided multiple illicit drug operations within Edo State, leading to the destruction of a cannabis plantation and dislodgement of illegal drug trafficking activities with multiple arrests.  These operations underline the NDLEA's unwavering commitment to combating drug abuse and ensuring a safer society for all citizens. According to the Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju,  PhD, the Edo State Commander, on August 18, 2026, a specialised team from the NDLEA's state headquarters stormed a cannabis sativa plantation in the Ukaro Forest of Owan West Local Government Area, where they apprehended three male suspects: Imohimi Ugbeje, aged 50; Usihoro Saturday, aged 27; and Bala Sunday, aged 23. During the operation, the agency uncovered a cannabis farm spanning approximately 0.496 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,240.9 kilograms. ...

 LAAC conference sets stage for discourse on government revenue demands, sector’s growth   The 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) is set to provide a major platform for stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry to examine the delicate balance between government revenue demands and the need to sustain the growth and competitiveness of the sector. The conference, scheduled to hold on September 10, 2026, in Lagos, will be held under the theme: “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth.” The landmark 30th edition of the conference is expected to bring together key stakeholders across the aviation value chain, including the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), government officials, industry bigwigs,  regulators, airline operators, airport managers, financial institutions, investors, aviation professionals, labour unions and other industry players. A statement by ...

  A New Beginning: How Olubunmi Kuku’s FAAN Is Raising the Standard for Pilgrim Travel The transformation of Nigeria’s airports has been a journey of determination, resilience and relentless commitment to excellence for the Olubunmi Kuku-led management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).  With a clear focus on renewing ageing infrastructure and placing the passenger at the heart of airport development, the Authority has continued to push forward despite the complexities of managing critical aviation facilities.  One of the latest expressions of that resolve is the newly upgraded Pilgrim Terminal Building at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.   A modern facility designed to ensure that for intending pilgrims, the journey to the holy sites begins not with inconvenience or uncertainty, but with comfort, dignity, safety and confidence.At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, that experience is taking a new ...

 NDLEA, UBTH,  STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR ENHANCED ALCOHOL , DRUG TESTING   The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and other key stakeholders, has underscored the critical need for alcohol and substance abuse screening.  During the second Special Stakeholders Workshop of the hospital, Commander of Narcotics, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, Edo State Commander highlighted the urgent necessity of such measures, stressing that addressing substance abuse is vital for improving safety in both workplace and public settings.   The workshop was officially declared open by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, represented by the  Commissioner for Security and Safety, Festus Ebea.  Among them ,included prominent figures from law enforcement, the judiciary, education, and healthcare sectors, who collectively emphasized that substance abuse extends beyond youth culture into office...

 United Nigeria Airlines pledges N20m to fund Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction for 10 yrs ‎United Nigeria Airlines has pledged N20 million  to sponsor the prestigious annual Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction, administered by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) for the next 10 years. ‎The sponsorship deal was disclosed today  by the executive chairman of the airline, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, following a discussion with the ANA president, Dr. Usman Akanbi.  Under the arrangement, the airline will provide N2 million every year for the next 10 years to ANA, bringing the total sponsorship to N20 million, a commitment the association says would guarantee the continuation of the prize regardless of the change in the state government. ‎ The yearly award which was initiated by the Anambra State government in 2021 in conjunction with the ANA leadership, has faced financial constraints in the last three years following the failure of the present state administration to cont...

  NDLEA EDO DESTROYS TWO CANNABIS FARMS OF 4,628.9KG IN IGBANKE FORESTS ....ARRESTS 10   IN ABUJA QUARTERS RAID The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a coordinated effort to rid Edo State of illicit drug activities, has destroyed 4,628.9kg of cannabis in two plantations and arrested ten suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state.  Acting on credidle  intelligence, officers of the command conducted the targeted cannabis farm destruction operation at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state while Abuja quarters in Benin City were equally dislodged of criminals. According to the Commander of the NDLEA in Edo State, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, the operation is in line with the Chairman's Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa’s, operational order to dislodge illicit drug locations nationwide. “In a renewed offensive tasking order, the...

  Governor Eno Leads Pre-Delivery Inspection of Ibom Air’s Third Airbus  ..Leads delegation to Canada  The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has led a delegation of State Executives and members of the airline’s Management team to a pre-delivery inspection of Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 aircraft at the Airbus production facility in Mirabel, Canada, ahead of its formal delivery and reception in Akwa Ibom State. The inspection marks another significant milestone in Ibom Air’s fleet modernization and growth strategy and is part of the acceptance process before the aircraft enters commercial service. The aircraft is Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 and the second A220 to be received under the airline’s firm order for ten Airbus A220 aircraft placed in 2021. Its addition marks a further step in Ibom Air’s commitment to expanding capacity, strengthening connectivity, and operating one of Africa's most modern fleets. The delegation was received by Guillaume Chevasson, He...

 NSIB seeks more funding, expertise to boost transport investigations The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has warned that the proposed reduction of its allocation of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) from six to four per cent would affect its ability to probe accidents across Nigeria’s aviation, rail, maritime and road transport sectors. The Director-General of the Bureau, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., raised the concern on Friday during a virtual media chat, saying adequate funding was critical to the NSIB’s expanding responsibilities. Badeh said the Bureau has evolved from the former Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which was primarily focused on aviation, into a multimodal safety investigation agency with responsibility for accidents across several modes of transportation. He explained that the Bureau's new mandate creates additional demands for specialised investigators, technical equipment, training and deployment of personnel to accident scenes nationwide. He said the fun...

 Aviation safety: NSIB to procure breathlyser, other kits for on-the-spot crew test The Director-General of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. has disclosed that plans are ongoing to procure breathalysers and other certified testing kits to test crew members for any drug. He said the devices and other equipment would allow preliminary tests to be conducted at accident sites by the Bureau's investigators before samples are sent to laboratories. He also defended the Bureau’s handling of toxicology findings connected to one of the domestic airline's crew, saying the Bureau did not state that the pilots involved were drunk. He explained that tests detected ethyl glucuronide, a by-product of alcohol that may indicate recent consumption, but said the result did not establish when alcohol was consumed. Another test, he said, returned a positive result for THC, with the matter left for the appropriate authorities to examine. He said: "The Bureau i...

 ANAP Disassociates self From Union Statement  The President General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professional ANAP, Comrade Adedayo Alale says the union has disassociated itself from the purported statement made by the general secretary of the association, Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu, claiming that workers are not forced to join unions in the aviation industry  Comrade Alale, in a chat declares "That is not the position of ANAP. ANAP, as a professional, we work along with all other aviation unions as a team. We belong to the same family, we belong to the same group. So, whatever that happens, it happens to us. That is why they say, 'injury to one is an injury to all.' " He queried further" So, why can ANAP's position be different? Moreover, Comrade Saidu as the Secretary-General, he did not even consult anybody, he did not even inform anyone before he went ahead and release that speech with the reporter. So, we are not abide by it. That is not our po...

  United Nigeria Airlines crew commended for professionalism during unruly passenger incident A cabin crew member of United Nigeria Airlines, Francisca Ogbuagu, has been commended for her composure and professionalism in handling an unruly passenger mid flight. In a  commendation letter, dated 11th August 2026, written by Dr. Everest Okpara, Chairman of Everight Diagnostic Ltd, and addressed to the Management of United Nigeria Airlines, titled "Commendation for Exceptional Customer Service -Miss Uche Francisca Ogbuagu," he said that he was writing to formally commend Ogbuagu for the exceptional professionalism, composure, and customer service she demonstrated during a recent flight. Describing the incident he witnessed, Dr. Okpara said Ogbuagu had to manage a difficult interaction with a passenger who was extremely rude and unruly towards her. He noted that despite the challenging nature of the encounter, which had to do with adherence to aviation rules, she remained calm and...

  CANNABIS FARMS CATALYST FOR INSECURITY The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, has raised the alarm over the escalating threat posed by cannabis cultivation in Edo State, describing it as a catalyst for kidnapping, arms proliferation, cultism and youth exploitation. This position was disclosed at the Edo Central Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting organised by Senator Joseph Ikpea at Uromi on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.  Speaking at the stakeholders' engagement, Commander Mitchell presented a comprehensive assessment titled "Cannabis Cultivation and Rural Insecurity in Edo Central", warning that forestlands once meant for agriculture have been converted into cannabis plantations. "What started as hidden plots has grown into large-scale cannabis farms and a chain of insecurity. Where cannabis takes root, crime follows, and where cannabis grows, development dies. An effective drug control will reduce the problem of...

  Air Peace alleges N2b loss to  disrupted flights  Air Peace Airlines  on Wednesday said  it lost over N2 billion to the disruption of its flight by three aviation unions , whose members carried out picketing on its business operations at the Lagos and Abuja Airports. Over 85 percent of its daily flights were not operated on account of the industrial action. The carrier operates over 100 flights daily across its route  network. The carrier said the appalling disruptive activity  by members of   the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) , violated the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)   and Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR)  Security regulation, describing it  as an act of unlawful interference punishable under extant aviation regulations. Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, its Chief Operating Officer ...

  Federal Govt to deploy pax, baggage tracking technology at airports  .....Urges FAAN, NCAA, airlines to adopt system The Federal Government has concluded plans to deploy the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), technology at airports terminals to bolster the tracking of flight status, whether delayed /cancelled,  luggage handling/ mis- routing and other procedures  associated with the travel process. The new move is part of efforts by the government to implement new smart traveling measures already gaining traction in the global air transport ecosystem. Disclosing this yesterday at a training programme at the Nigeria Civil Aviation (NCAA) Annex in Lagos, its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu said the Federal Government is committed to ensure that the airport authority, ground handling companies and airlines plug into the new system. He said the new arrangement will leverage the RFID system provide automated baggage tracking f...