Author: Mary Osisanya-Bello

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has directed the removal of manual search tables at the screening points of the international terminal at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, replacing them with advanced, technology-driven screening equipment to enhance efficiency. This move is part of FAAN’s ongoing efforts to streamline passenger processing and improve security measures. Security operatives are now mandated to rely on modern screening technologies rather than manual searches. In addition to the technological upgrade, FAAN has implemented strict measures to combat touting at the airport. Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials are tasked with ensuring that unauthorized individuals are kept…

Aero Contractors has announced Christmas fares starting at N80,000, the lowest in the domestic air travel market. The airline is offering these discounted fares as a gesture of appreciation for its loyal customers. With the average one-hour domestic flight fare around N120,000 during the holiday season, Aero’s N80,000 fare stands out. The airline, Nigeria’s oldest carrier, has also revealed that it has turned a profit of 14% and reduced its liabilities by 33%, marking a significant turnaround after years of financial struggles. Under the leadership of Captain Ado Sanusi, Aero Contractors has rebounded from near collapse in 2017, when its…

This year’s France–Nigeria Investment Forum, a key event during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to France, concluded on a positive and mutually beneficial note for both nations. For those of us who have attended previous editions, this year’s forum stands out as the best from a Nigerian perspective, largely due to the exceptional organization and the selection of accomplished Nigerian entrepreneurs who participated. Although it was a government-to-government initiative, the forum was predominantly driven by the private sector, with experienced foreign moderators facilitating discussions. In the past, Nigerian government representatives would often showcase CEOs of companies that foreign investors found hard…

As President Bola Tinubu prepares to present the 2025 budget to the National Assembly this week, the Senate has approved the 2025–2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper. The approval came on Tuesday following the adoption of a report from the Senate’s joint Committees on Finance, National Planning, and Economic Affairs, led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East). In addition to the approval, the Senate has mandated its committees on Finance, Petroleum (Upstream), Petroleum (Downstream), and Gas to investigate allegations by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Responsibility Commission, claiming that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company…

In Nigeria’s evolving job market, many professionals face a tough decision: stick with the stability of a corporate paycheck or take the leap to pursue their passions. As the country wrestles with economic challenges, the tension between financial security and personal fulfillment has never been more pronounced. For many, the lure of a steady income is in direct opposition to the uncertainty of following a passion. Yet, with rising living costs and economic pressures, the question becomes more pressing: Can one balance the need for financial stability with the desire to live a more fulfilling, passion-driven life? This dilemma is…

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the country’s industrial sector’s sluggish growth threatens the federal government’s goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2026. In a statement issued on Monday, MAN attributed the underperformance of the industrial sector, as reflected in the third-quarter 2024 GDP report, to rising interest and exchange rates, as well as escalating energy costs. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN’s Director General, pointed out that the industrial sector’s growth rate of 2.18 percent, while an improvement over the 0.46 percent recorded in Q3 2023, remains insufficient to support the government’s ambitious economic targets. Ajayi-Kadir also…

Low-earning pensioners can now choose to withdraw their total retirement savings as a lump sum or continue receiving their monthly pension until the Minimum Pension Guarantee is approved. This new directive, issued by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), follows a revision to the regulation governing retirement and terminal benefits. The change, outlined in a memo signed by A.M. Salem, Head of PENCOM’s Surveillance Department, was prompted by the recent increase in the National Minimum Wage to N70,000. Previously, retirees could only access one-third of their total Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs). The memo, dated November 27, 2024, states that retirees whose…

The seventh edition of VerveLife, Africa’s leading wellness program, has deepened its focus on youth engagement and community building across Nigeria and the continent. Verve, a subsidiary of Interswitch Group, highlighted the initiative’s role in promoting healthier lifestyles, resilience, and social connections. Group CEO Mitchell Elegbe stated, “VerveLife was launched seven years ago to connect with Nigerians through wellness, a passion that resonated widely.” The program hosted activities in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Kampala, with a grand finale in Lagos featuring live performances by Afrobeats star 9ice and other entertainers, blending wellness and entertainment. Elegbe emphasized, “VerveLife empowers…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has expressed its support for a partnership with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to enhance asset valuation processes. FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, emphasized that this collaboration would significantly improve tax administration and drive economic growth in Nigeria. He made the statement on Thursday during a visit by NIESV executives, led by President Victor Alonge, to the Revenue House in Abuja. Adedeji highlighted the critical role of asset valuation in the FIRS’s mandate to assess, collect, and account for revenue. He noted that accurate asset valuations, especially in areas such as…

Port-Harcourt Refinery MD Ibrahim Onoja has assured Nigerians of ongoing operations, dismissing claims of halted production at the refinery. The Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), Ibrahim Onoja on Sunday dismissed an allegation that production at the refinery was halted, after it was inaugurated Tuesday last week. The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, had flagged off the rehabilitated plant at the Area 5 terminal of the refinery, with the national oil company saying that about 200 trucks would be loading out from the plant on a daily…