The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Kayamo, disclosed on Friday in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, he said the presidential directive was formally conveyed through the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila.

Keyamo said the decisive move aimed at alleviating operational pressures within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

‘’The relief covers accumulated debts including parking charges payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), navigational charges owed to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as well as other regulatory obligations.

‘’This intervention comes as part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to cushion the impact of the ongoing Jet A1 fuel crisis, which has significantly increased operating costs for domestic carriers.

“The initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to stabilising the aviation industry, safeguarding airline operations, and ensuring the continued viability of domestic air transport services across the country, ‘’ he said.

In a related development, Keyamo said Nigeria aviation sector has earned a 91.45 per cent safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He said the record-breaking score followed the recent audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The minister said the exercise took place at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja.

According to him, the landmark score, announced during a debriefing session by the ICAO audit team, represents the highest rating ever attained by Nigeria since it began participating in ICAO’s safety oversight audits.

‘’This achievement places Nigeria well above both the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent, reinforcing the country’s standing as a leader in aviation safety compliance.

‘’The improved rating is expected to significantly enhance investor confidence, strengthen Nigeria’s international aviation credibility, and position the country as a preferred destination for global aviation partnerships and investments.

‘’The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, is responsible for coordinating global standards in air navigation and ensuring the safe and orderly development of international air transport,’’ he said.

According to him, ICAO evaluates member states’ ability to effectively implement safety oversight systems through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

The minister stated that Nigeria, as a committed member state, had consistently worked to align with the international standards.

‘’Since the inception of the USOAP in 1999, Nigeria has undergone four comprehensive safety audits, with performance measured through Effective Implementation (EI) scores that reflect the robustness of its aviation safety framework,’’ he added.

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Keyamo said this in Abuja during a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), airline operators and other aviation stakeholders.

Our correspondent reports that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had earlier planned to suspend flight operations and increase airfares due to the high cost of Jet A1 fuel.

According to the minister, the percentage of the discount for domestic airlines will be determined by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the president had directed airlines to urgently submit formal requests regarding the proposed debt relief.

Keyamo added that the president had also approved the establishment of a committee to review multiple taxes, levies and charges imposed on domestic flight tickets.

He said the committee was aimed at reducing the cost burden on both operators and passengers.

The minister said the federal government intervened swiftly to prevent disruption to air travel following the operators’ warning.

“A generous discount on debts owed to agencies such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is under consideration,” he said.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, said a meeting would be held with oil marketers on Thursday to address pricing concerns.

Lokpobiri was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Patience Oyekunle.

Speaking on behalf of AON, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, requested a total waiver of debts owed by airlines.

Onyema also urged the federal government to strengthen the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enable airlines access loans at lower interest rates.

He described the reported 300 per cent increase in aviation fuel price as abnormal and called for caution by oil marketers.

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Chibuikem Uloka, the Public Relations Officer of United Nigeria, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said that it was the sixth bird strike involving the company carriers in 2026.

Uloka said the incident occurred on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Port Harcourt International Airport operating Flight UN0515 on April 15.

He said the nose section of the aircraft was affected.

“We regret to inform our valued passengers and the general public of yet another bird strike aircraft involving one of our Airbus A320-200,” he said.

The company said it had immediately withdrawn the aircraft from operations to undergo thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service.

It said this was in line with its strict and uncompromising safety standards.

”This marks the sixth bird strike involving our aircraft so far in 2026, an occurrence we find deeply concerning and unacceptable due to its implications for aviation safety and operational stability.

“This brings the total number of grounded aircraft to two in less than 24 hours.

“As a result, some flights across our network may experience disruptions or may not operate as scheduled,” it said.

United Nigeria regretted any inconvenience the decision may cause urging passengers understanding as safety remained top priority.

The company said it was working diligently to minimise disruptions and provision of support to all affected travelers.

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The body said in a notice signed by its President, Dr Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Sarina said the price of Jet A1 had increased to N3,300 per litre from about N900 per litre in February, representing a 300 per cent rise.

According to him, the increase, driven by marketers, has significantly raised airlines’ operational costs.

He noted that the rise was not in line with global crude oil price trends, which reflect about a 30 per cent increase.

Sarina said airlines had, in the past four weeks, continued operations despite the rising costs out of a sense of responsibility to the nation.

He, however, said the situation had become unsustainable.

“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily.

“The actions of fuel marketers are putting the aviation industry and the nation’s economy, safety and security at risk, as airlines are being forced to consider suspending operations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this increase has already affected one airline, forcing it to suspend operations since March 13,” he said.

Sarina said the situation could worsen if urgent action was not taken.

According to him, adjusting ticket prices to reflect current fuel costs could lead to reduced passenger traffic, while a shutdown of operations would affect jobs, financial institutions and national security.

“We urge marketers to adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current rates,” he said.

The notice was addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, with copies sent to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, among others.

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The operator said the hike addresses congestion, discourages long-term parking, and restores space for legitimate airport users.

This is contained in a statement by Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, on Monday in Lagos.

Yinka-Olawuyi said MMA2 has maintained strong safety and security records among Nigeria’s airport terminals.

She said this is achieved through monitoring, access control, and proactive management of terminal facilities, including the car park.

She said increasing long-stay vehicles have placed additional operational and security pressures on the facility.

“Prolonged parking has created operational challenges and reduced space for legitimate users at the multi-storey car park.

“Over time, the facility has been used for long stays, sometimes days, months or years, reducing availability for passengers,” Yinka-Olawuyi said.

She noted passengers sometimes spend over 30 minutes searching for parking, causing missed flights and delays.

She said congestion also builds around terminal drop-off and pick-up zones, affecting traffic flow and experience.

According to her, the revised tariff aims to discourage long-stay parking and improve turnover for legitimate users.

She said: “The review is not revenue-driven but an operational necessity to restore order, reduce congestion, and ensure safety and efficiency.”

Saloon cars now pay N3,500 first hour, up from N2,500, with N2,500 for subsequent hours.

SUVs now pay N4,000 first hour, up from N3,500, with N2,500 subsequent hours; buses N20,000; overnight N50,000; lost tickets N25,000.

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The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire, said in a statement in Lagos that the terminal was shut following the spark in an operational office, which resulted in smoke emission at 2.05 p.m.

Agbebire said that electrical maintenance was ongoing to ensure that all electrical systems would function optimally ahead of the terminal’s reopening.

“All flights that currently operate from Terminal 3 have been diverted to Terminal 2. Passengers are hereby advised accordingly.

“The situation is under control as personnel of the Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Services promptly responded and contained the incident,” he added.

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Managing Director and Chief Executive, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, at a Business Breakfast Meeting hosted by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, on Thursday in Lagos

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By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Lagos, March 26, 2026 (NAN) The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has outlined efforts to bridge long-standing infrastructure deficits at Lagos airports.

Kuku spoke at a Business Breakfast Meeting hosted by the Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative on Thursday in Lagos.

The meeting was with the theme, ‘Boosting Aviation Sector Contribution to Nigeria’s GDP: The Importance of an Aviation Hub’.

She highlighted strategic choices facing Nigeria’s gateways, ongoing rehabilitation challenges, and the shift toward private sector participation due to limited government resources.

“There is absolutely no way government can fully fund the infrastructure deficit we have today. It’s impossible,” she said.

According to her, Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its aviation journey, citing its large population, strategic location, and rising demand for air travel.

She said the country was well positioned to lead aviation development across Africa through a coordinated hub strategy.

Kuku outlined plans to develop dual hub airports at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

“Lagos serves as our primary commercial gateway, handling most international passenger and cargo traffic.

“Abuja complements this as a political and administrative hub with growing international connectivity capacity.

“Together, these airports form the backbone of Nigeria’s hub strategy,” she said.

She said infrastructure modernisation remained a priority, including terminal upgrades, improved runway capacity, and advanced air traffic systems under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Project.

“These investments are critical to ensuring safety, reducing delays, and delivering efficiency expected of a global hub,” she said.

Kuku listed improvements at Lagos airport, including expanded capacity and a temporary departure hall handling up to 1,500 passengers during peak periods.

She noted plans for a monorail linking terminals, upgraded airfield lighting to Category II LED standard, and improved taxiways.

Other measures include deployment of advanced surface movement systems, access control upgrades, and expanded aircraft parking through relocation of obstructing hangars.

She added that multiple air bridges, upgraded cargo terminals, and integrated logistics systems were being installed to improve operations.

“Safety and regulatory compliance remain non-negotiable,” she said, noting alignment with global standards under the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

She stressed that strong safety oversight builds confidence among international airlines and passengers.

Kuku said connectivity remained central, with plans to expand long-haul and intra-African routes using frameworks like the Single African Air Transport Market.

She said Nigeria aimed to become a key transit point for passengers travelling across Africa and beyond.

Kuku added that strong national carriers were vital, with support planned for two Nigerian airlines to drive passenger and cargo traffic.

“By strengthening partnerships and optimising routes, these carriers will play a central role in our hub ecosystem,” she said.

She said FAAN was expanding into cargo and logistics through modern terminals and cold-chain systems.

According to her, Nigeria is positioning itself as a hub for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services to capture more aviation value.

She said passenger experience was being enhanced through improved check-in, immigration, transit facilities, and commercial offerings.

She said: “Policy reform and investment are critical enablers.

“Through public-private partnerships and improved regulations, we are attracting local and international investment into the sector.

“Nigeria’s ambition to become an aviation hub is achievable with sustained investment and collaboration.”

Chairman of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said strong domestic airlines and efficient infrastructure were essential for a successful hub.

He urged government to create an enabling environment, noting multiple taxation and foreign exchange constraints hinder airline growth.

Sanusi also called for efficient air traffic management, performance-based navigation, and local maintenance and training facilities.

Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, said a hub required over 30 per cent transit passengers.

He noted Nigerian airports currently handle mostly point-to-point traffic rather than hub operations.

Uriesi said infrastructure, airline connectivity, and service quality were key to developing a functional hub system.

Managing Director of Elint System Ltd., Ms Charlotte Essiet, highlighted the role of drones in future aviation.

She said unmanned traffic management systems and advanced air mobility infrastructure should be integrated into airport design.

Stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem attended the meeting.

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Kuku inspected the tollgates at the Lagos and Abuja airports respectively.

Our correspondent reports that Kuku had earlier in the day inspected Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where the system had already been launched.

Speaking after the inspection, Kuku said the visit was in line with the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), to implement a hybrid payment approach across airport tollgates.

According to her, the system allows travellers to pay using the automated “gold card” cashless method while still retaining the option of cash and other payment channels to ease the transition.

She noted that the Abuja tollgate recorded a free flow of traffic during the morning rollout, supported by ongoing public awareness campaigns aimed at educating users about the automated payment system.

At the Lagos airport tollgate, she said traffic also moved smoothly, although more sensitisation was still required because of the airport’s large number of first-time or occasional users.

Kuku explained that many travellers were still learning how to navigate the available payment options and adopt faster and more seamless automated methods.

The FAAN managing director added that more work remained to fully integrate the system, particularly with existing concessionaires managing the toll infrastructure.

She said lessons from the ongoing rollout would guide the full integration and streamlining of the payment process in collaboration with the Ministry of Aviation.

The hybrid payment system is part of FAAN’s ongoing efforts to modernise airport access gates, improve traffic flow, and introduce more efficient digital payment options for airport users

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This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister.

Keyamo gave the directive when he met with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior officials of the Ministry.

‎‎According to him, the directive follows the earlier suspension of the full cashless “Access Gate Payment System” as directed by the President Bola Tinubu due to the traffic gridlock it created.

‎‎‎”The ministry has resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at our airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments.

‎‎”In the meantime, a hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates with effect from Friday.

‎‎”Motorists who already have the FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice. Other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available,” he said.

‎‎He urged members of the public and road users to obtain and use the “FAAN Go Cashless Card” as the authority continues to enhance and fully optimise the cashless payment system.

‎‎According to him, the directive restores the previous access gate payment arrangement while the ministry continues to work on the fully automated or electronic system.

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The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Lagos.

Kuku said the decision followed severe traffic gridlocks recorded at major airport toll points, particularly in Lagos, when the authority attempted to transition fully to digital payments.

According to her, commuters and travellers experienced significant delays at airport entrances during the rollout of the cashless system.

She said the President’s intervention was a major relief for both the travelling public and the aviation industry.

“He saw the traffic gridlock we were having while rolling out the cashless policy and, in his understanding of our environment, directed us to revert temporarily to the status quo using a hybrid approach.

“That is what we are doing now, and it is a win for the industry,” she said.

Kuku explained that the hybrid system would allow FAAN to continue its digital transformation while still accepting cash payments, ensuring that passengers do not miss flights due to processing delays at the toll gates.

“The President has given us time to go back and refine the process. The technology we deployed actually works, and we already had four payment options available.

“What he asked us to do is refine the system and ensure that we have more users onboarded,” she said.

Kuku noted that many passengers and commuters were unaware that the authority would strictly enforce the March 1 deadline for the transition to cashless toll payments.

She added that from October 2025 to March 3, FAAN enrolled more than 100,000 users on the platform, with about 60,000 registrations recorded within the last three days before the deadline.

“For us, that is already a major milestone,” she said.

According to Kuku, the authority recorded about 99 per cent success rate with the cashless cards deployed during the rollout.

She explained that the hybrid model would enable users to continue using their payment cards while also allowing cash transactions where necessary.

“At least for now, we can accommodate cash payments while people continue to obtain and activate their cards,” she said.

Kuku admitted that the initial rollout lacked a comprehensive pilot phase due to pressure to meet the Federal Government’s deadline.

She said the additional time granted by the Presidency would serve as an extended pilot phase to strengthen public awareness and improve the system.

“This window will help us enhance public enlightenment so commuters are not caught off guard.

“It will also allow us onboard more private technology partners to streamline payment options such as e-tags and smart cards,” she said.

Kuku added that the period would also enable the authority to strengthen checks and balances to prevent revenue leakages when cash transactions are allowed.

She said the aim was to ensure that all payments were properly accounted for and remitted to the federal government.

The FAAN boss said there was currently no new deadline for the complete phase-out of cash payments, as the President had directed the Ministry of Aviation to first refine the process and ensure seamless implementation.

Our correspondent reports that President Tinubu ordered a temporary suspension of the full cashless policy at airports after the March 1 deadline triggered major traffic gridlocks in Lagos and Abuja.

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