Airport Reporters

 SAHCO makes bold statement with appearance at ACI Africa in Abuja The ongoing 35th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja has provided another opportunity for Nigerian aviation companies to showcase their capabilities to the wider African aviation community, with the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) making a visible statement through its participation. The ACI Africa gathering in Abuja brings together more than 500 delegates and over 40 speakers, sponsors and exhibitors from across Africa and beyond. Held under the theme, “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” the event is focusing on the future of airport development, operational efficiency, digital transformation, sustainability, passenger experience, safety, security and commercial development. Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of Sahco, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin...

  Keyamo highlights achievements of Tinubu's administration as ACI Africa opens in Abuja  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  Minister to Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo on Tuesday highlighted the achievements of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, affirming that several airports' infrastructure programmes are on going across the country to boost air safety. Keyamo said since Tinubu took over three years ago, Nigeria has nudged higher in its international safety rating , the highest since 1960. The minister disclosed this at  the Opening Ceremony of the 35th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly, 76th Board and Committee Meetings, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja. He said Nigeria is deeply honoured to host this important gathering of Africa's airport community, affirming that  Abuja is particularly appropriate for the conversation. Keyamo said :" This is a city built around the idea of connection — connecting our people, our r...

  Nigeria ranks as fourth largest aviation market in Africa, says FAAN boss By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  Nigeria ranks as the fourth largest aviation market in Africa with over 18.8 million domestic and international passengers recorded in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.9 per cent, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku has disclosed. She stated this while delivering her welcome address at the Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Abuja. Onabanjo - Kuku , who is  Vice President, Airport Council International Africa (ACI-Africa),  Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku described the meeting hosted by Nigeria as a convergence of vision, coming at a more consequential moment for African aviation reflecting the a collective undertaking for the continent. Referencing the theme : “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience”, the FAAN boss said...

 Citizens blame the FG for everything. But should they?  By Capt. Samuel Caulcrik  The 1999 Constitution, as amended, delineates the Constitution into the exclusive list (FG), concurrent list, (FG and states) and the residual list - mainly the states (any matter not mentioned in the exclusive list and the concurrent list) For clarity of the 1999 Constitution as currently amended.  Exclusive List: Defence, aviation, currency/coinage, foreign affairs, customs & excise, immigration, policing, and maritime shipping. Concurrent List: Higher/post-primary education, electric power generation, agricultural development, tax collection administration, industrial development, and scientific research. Residual List: Local government administration, chieftaincy and traditional institutions, land management/tenure (outside federal territories), markets/motor parks, and intra-state tourism. Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, these powers are divided...

  NDLEA EDO HOLDS OKPEBHOLO-MARWA MARATHON AGAINST DRUG ABUSE   ....THREE WINNERS GET SCHOLARSHIPS, DECORATED AS AMBASSADORS The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, in collaboration with the Edo State Drug Control Committee (ESDCC), at the weekend held the maiden edition of the Okpebholo-Marwa Mini Marathon Against Drug Abuse. Edo became the first state in Nigeria to host a mini marathon dedicated solely to secondary school students in the fight against drug abuse.  Over a hundred students drawn from four public schools, Edopkolor Grammar School, Ogbe Secondary School, Oba Akenzua Secondary School and Oba Ewuare Gammar School, participated in the race that kicked off at Victor Uwaifo’s Creative Hub, Airport Road through the King Square, and terminated at Victor Uwaifo’s Creative Hub. The race tagged Running Against Drug Abuse was flagged off by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Dennis Idahosa. Declaring the marathon open, the Deput...

 United Nigeria Airlines’ boss wins Travel Personality Award   The executive chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has been named Travel Personality of the Year and selected as one of Nigeria's Top 100 Travel and Tourism Icons for 2025/2026. The award which was done through public voting, celebrates Okonkwo's role in steering United Nigeria Airlines to success since its inception. The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, received the award on his behalf at the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market held in Lagos. The awards' organizer, Ikechi Uko, said the recognition celebrates the phenomenal rise of United Nigeria Airlines in less than six years and the remarkable impact it has made on Nigeria’s travel industry over the past year. Uko stated that under Okonkwo's leadership, the airline has prioritised what matters most to passengers, which is greater access to air travel, improved connectivity, operational efficiency, convenience, and ...

 Alternative Thinking. _By Sam Caulcrick  Corporate Governance in Nigerian Family-Owned Businesses: Why Airlines Fail to Scale To fix the bottleneck that keeps local airlines and major enterprises from becoming enduring, multi-generational institutions, we need a deep, accurate assessment of the Nigerian business ecosystem. This will require stepping outside the box.  The collision between founder-centric control and institutional capital has created a growth ceiling that Western corporate governance models cannot fix. The Paradox: Family Trust vs. Institutional Scale Nigerian business is high-context and relationship-driven.  This creates a growth loop: 1. The Trust Deficit: Founders keep control within the family because institutional trust in the legal and economic system is low. Succession is viewed through bloodlines, not merit. 2. The Capital Wall: Aviation is intensely capital-intensive. Lenders, lessor syndicates, and international banks require rigorous gove...