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122 FAAN officials working in Minna Airport without commercial flight –MD
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says at least 122 of its staff members work in Minna Airport, Niger State, which does not operate any commercial flight.
FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this at the 9th Airport Business Summit and Expo held in on Lagos with the Theme: “Airport Viability is Key to Successful Aviation Business Ambition.”
She lamented that many airports in Nigeria had not translated into increased passenger traffic while most of the unviable airports continued to drain the resources of FAAN.
Kuku noted that despite the projection of 261million passenger traffic for Africa in 2025, Nigeria was still scratching the surface.
She said, “The majority of our facilities are operating below capacity; it’s very clear. Let me even shift from the international or the regional airports and look at the domestic terminals. I believe we have about 122 staff that are working in Mina. Today there is no single flight for commercial operations that is flying out of Mina but despite that, let’s look at the positives.
“And when I look at the population of Nigeria, exceeding 220 million, and the number of passengers that we have flying on both our domestic and international routes, you will know that we’re barely scratching the surface.
“And this has absolutely nothing to do with the number of airports that we have, but largely around economic growth and development. I continue to tell people that it’s not about building airports. Passenger traffic is driven. It’s driven by GDP growth and economic development.
“Despite the challenges that we have as a nation, the FX fluctuations, the inflation issues that we have, it is very evident that our geographic positioning as a nation puts us in the place where we can drive.”
Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, said that unviable airports were threatening aviation sustainability.
He however tasked stakeholders in the aviation industry to come up with actionable plans that will usher Nigeria into the next phase of its aviation growth.
Keyamo, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, said the ministry’s position was hinged on the recent revelation FAAN that only three airports were viable in Nigeria.
Many state governments have been spending huge amounts of money on airport development without considering the viability while the airports are usually transferred to the federal government.
According to the minister, the federal government is committed to making its airports viable.
He said, “Airport viability is indispensable in the pursuit of a successful aviation business ambition. By recognising its significance and collectively committing to its enhancement, we can steer the sector towards greater prosperity, resilience, and excellence.
“I want to charge all delegates and experts here present to work towards coming up with actionable plans that will usher Nigeria into the next phase of its Aviation growth.
“Without strong, efficient and sustainable airports, the aviation industry will struggle to reach its full potential. But with strategic investments, innovative approaches, and collaborative efforts, we can ensure that airports continue to be dynamic engines of growth and opportunity for the entire aviation ecosystem.”
A former MD of FAAN, Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun, emphasized that route development and revenue optimization were vital for the sustainability of state airports.
He stressed that effective strategies were essential for enhancing airport connectivity and logistics across Nigeria.
Aisuebeogun noted that building airports in nearly all states was aimed at boosting connectivity and streamlining logistics for passengers and cargoes.
“The goal of having airports in nearly all 36 states is to enhance connectivity and logistical inclusion for passengers and cargo. However, the success of this national ambition will depend on the airports’ economic sustainability and usability,” he stated.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised documentation requirement for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali
The CBN said the new initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralized payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimizes reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes it added take effect immediately and include simplified documentation for low-value transactions, which allows customers to now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their authorized dealer banks for low-value transactions of up to $2,000 and $5,000 equivalent in naira for individuals and corporate bodies, respectively.
“For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN foreign exchange manual and related circulars remains mandatory,” the bank said.
Also, the CBN added that applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Authorized dealer banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian foreign exchange market, without recourse to the CBN.
“All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria urges all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with this new policy.
“In addition, CBN encourages exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa,” the statement said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives is set to host the country’s first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, aimed at driving new laws, attracting investment, and pushing Nigeria further along its energy transition journey.
This was revealed during a press briefing by the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, who described the event as a turning point for energy legislation in Nigeria.
He said: “The conference aims at bringing together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss renewable energy legislations, energy transition, renewable energy financing, investment opportunities and related matters.
“It’s about developing a national legislative framework on renewable energy”.
The conference, which is being organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will take place under the UNDP Parliamentary Development Program.
Rep. Ogene noted that recent legal reforms have created space for state governments to play a more active role in Nigeria’s power sector. He pointed to the Fifth Alteration Bill 2022 (No.33), now signed into law, which allows states to legislate on electricity matters within the national grid. Before now, states could only act on off-grid power.
In addition, he highlighted the Electricity Act of 2023, which came into effect in February 2024.
“It permits states to issue licenses for all electricity activities – generation, transmission and distribution across the entire power sector value chain,” he said.
The Committee Chairman further stated that the new National Integrated Electricity Policy, expected in 2025, will guide states in forming new electricity markets, where solar power and other renewable sources will be key to reaching underserved communities.
Ogene explained, “The conference has three clear objectives:
“To promote dialogue among legislators, experts and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities.
“To establish a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers, and to produce a clear, time-bound legislative action plan.
“International partners are also on board. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will participate, and parliaments from South Africa, Ghana and Gambia have confirmed attendance. Ghana is sending a three-man delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin”.
In another major highlight, the Netherlands-based platform INCLUDE will host a Pan-African Legislative Dialogue session on renewable energy, to be chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
“The session will focus on how to establish a unified legislative framework on renewable energy development, investment and financing.
“The time has come for us to act. This is not just another conference – it is the foundation of Nigeria’s renewable energy future”, Ogene added.
Expected outcomes from the conference include new policy and legislative reform proposals to boost renewable energy use, as well as draft laws that will encourage public and private sector investment.
Other goals are to enhance collaboration between federal and state lawmakers, raise public awareness, and roll out a practical roadmap for implementation and progress tracking.
The event will also feature a technology showcase of renewable energy innovations and business opportunities.
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