By Gloria Ikibah

The Director General, Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reaffirmed the Corps’ dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s reputation on the international stage.

The Director-General stated this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN), led by its Chairman, Comrade Frederick Idehai, on Monday in Abuja

Buba highlighted the role of TAC in promoting Nigeria’s influence abroad by deploying technical expertise to 35 African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries, and noted that the Corps has contributed to the professional growth of individuals who have gone on to hold key government positions, including cabinet ministers, while also impacting millions of lives.

Additionally, he assured DICAN of TAC’s readiness to collaborate in advancing the 4Ds foreign policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This policy anchored on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora was introduced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar., which aims to position Nigeria strategically within the global community.

He further emphasised TAC’s commitment to working closely with DICAN, ensuring that the association is actively involved in the Corps’ activities through mutual collaboration and support.

Earlier in his remarks, DICAN Chairman, Comrade Idehai, expressed the association’s interest in partnering with TAC to promote its initiatives in alignment with the 4Ds doctrine. He underscored the strategic role of diplomatic correspondents in fostering national development and stability.

Comrade Idehai also highlighted DICAN’s mandate as a professional body of journalists and editors from print, electronic, online, and wire services, who cover diplomatic affairs, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and international organizations.

He explained that the association was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) making it a credible partner for engagement.

Kenya Airways officials have tendered an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and a Nigerian passenger: Gloria Omisore, following a complaint of mistreatment during a recent flight.

The airline also retracted previous statements regarding the incident, admitting fault for allowing Omisore to board a flight from Lagos without the necessary transit visa.

The apology came during a meeting convened by the NCAA attended by airline representatives including Country Manager James Nganga, Station Manager Eric Mukira, and Duty Manager Ezenwa Ehumadu, alongside NCAA Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu.

Omisore, a British resident permit holder without a Schengen visa, had purchased a ticket for a Manchester-Paris-Nairobi-Lagos (inbound) and Lagos-Nairobi-Paris-Manchester route.

While her inbound journey proceeded without issue, the airline failed to identify the need for a Paris transit visa for her outbound leg until she reached Nairobi.

Although Kenya Airways offered a direct flight to London at no extra cost after a 17-hour layover, the situation escalated when Omisore’s request for accommodation and care due to the airline’s error was denied, leading to what the NCAA termed an “unruly” exchange.

In a prior statement, Kenya Airways claimed Omisore refused the re-routing and acted disruptively. They have since retracted this, admitting their error and apologizing for the “obfuscation of facts.”

The NCAA had given Kenya Airways 48 hours to verify a phone call made by Omisore on December 7, 2025, where she reportedly inquired about her eligibility to fly the route.

The authority also expressed strong disapproval of comments made by airline staff allegedly insulting the office of the Nigerian President, stating the airline could not act with impunity towards Nigerians.

The country manager apologized for the staff’s behavior, promising disciplinary action.

The NCAA has reiterated its call for all airlines operating in Nigeria to adhere to regulations and establish dedicated, trained customer relations desks or officers to handle such issues.

As controversies trailed the purported electricity tariff hike by the Federal Government, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued regulations on the procedure for tariff reviews.

The latest order, signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, stated that pursuant to the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the commission is obligated to review and approve a fair tariff to allow licensees to recover prudent costs and a reasonable return on capital invested in the business for the provision of electricity services.

It stated that Section 116(1) of the Act provides that activities in the generation, transmission, distribution, trading, supply, system operation, and electricity distribution franchising shall be subject to tariff regulation, saying Section 116(2) further provides for the commission to develop a tariff methodology that allows licensees operating efficiently to recover the full efficient costs of their business activities, plus a reasonable return on investments by shareholders.

“In exercise of the powers conferred in Section 116 of the Act, the commission has developed and adopted the Multi-Year Tariff Order Methodology as an incentive-based price regulation framework for the determination and projection of tariffs payable in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,”

NERC stressed that the Multi-Year Tariff Order methodology provides for a major review of electricity tariffs every five years, during which all tariff assumptions are reviewed to ensure the industry’s viability and efficiency.

One year before the major tariff hike, the commission said it would issue a notice to all licensees about its intention while requesting them to submit applications for the review of tariffs supported with necessary documentation within 120 days of the notice.

“The commission shall, one year before the expiration of the major tariff review order in force or as may be considered necessary, issue a notice to all licensees about its intention to commence the process for a major review of the existing tariff. The notice shall be published in three national dailies and on the website of the commission.

“The Notice shall request for submission of applications for the review of tariffs supported with documentation that includes but not limited to audited financial statements, budgets, investment plans (in line with prevailing guidelines on Performance Improvement Plans), and proof of wide consultation with customers in the licensees’ service area concerning the proposed filing of the application for tariff review and any other information as deemed necessary by the commission,” the regulation stated.

The regulator said an initial review of the applications shall be completed and a consultation paper developed no later than 90 days after the deadline for the submission of the applications.

“The consultation paper developed by the commission shall outline the basis for the tariff review applications by the licensees including their proposals on capital investments, service improvements, new connections, loss reductions, reset of tariff assumptions if any, and possible impact on rates payable by the affected customers.

“The consultation paper shall be published on the commission’s website and public notices issued soliciting comments with a timeline of 21 days for submission by stakeholders. The commission shall within 90 days from the publication of the consultation paper review all comments and schedule and conclude a Rate Case Hearing, having regard to the stakeholders’ responses to the consultation paper,” the regulation stated.

It was stated that all comments and observations received from the public on the consultation paper and the Rate Case Hearing shall be examined and considered in the development of a draft tariff order for the consideration of the commission.

Upon due consideration of the outcomes of the general stakeholders’ presentation and the Rate Case Hearing, the commission said it shall consider and approve a Major Tariff Review Order within 30 days from the date of the Rate Case Hearing held at the commission.

“Any licensee whose tariffs have been reviewed shall communicate the outcome of the tariff review to its customers vide its website and other communication channels,” it said.

For monthly or minor reviews, the commission said it shall review the prevailing operating end-user tariffs and changes may be made thereto to account for changes in generation fuel costs, the Nigerian and United States inflation rates, United States dollar exchange rate to the naira, and average generation availability relative to the preceding month.

The commission also stated that it may, at its discretion, conduct a minor review of end-user tariffs at other short periods but no longer than six months.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, has said there would be an electricity tariff review in a few months.

Verheijen said the current N200bn monthly electricity subsidy benefits only the wealthiest 25 per cent, leaving the poor masses in the dark.

She said the government would put in place a subsidy system that works for the masses.

“Today, the Federal Government spends over N200bn per month on electricity subsidies, but much of this support benefits the wealthiest 25 per cent of Nigerians rather than those who truly need assistance. To address this, the Federal Government is working towards a targeted subsidy system to ensure that low-income households receive the most support. This approach will make electricity more affordable and accessible for millions of hardworking families,” she stated.