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N712bn MMIA terminal 1 expansion targets next-generation international gateway -Keyamo

The Federal Government has positioned the N712 billion reconstruction and expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 1, Lagos, as a major infrastructure intervention to transform Nigeria’s principal international gateway into a more modern, efficient and passenger-centred airport.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this Tuesday at the opening of the ongoing 35th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly, Board and Committee Meetings, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.

Keyamo said the MMIA Terminal 1 rehabilitation and expansion was part of the Federal Government’s broader programme to modernise Nigeria’s airport infrastructure and align it with the requirements of next-generation airports.

According to him, the intervention goes beyond the physical expansion of terminal facilities, as the government seeks to reposition the airport as a critical component of Nigeria’s aviation and wider economic infrastructure.

‘The rehabilitation and expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 1 in Lagos is a major intervention designed to transform a historic gateway into a more modern, efficient and passenger-centred international airport,’ he said.

Keyamo stressed that modern airport development must incorporate operational efficiency, resilience, technology, commercial sustainability and passenger experience.

‘This is not merely about concrete, steel and glass. An airport is a country’s front door. When a visitor arrives, the airport is often the first physical expression of the nation that visitor encounters. We therefore want our airports to communicate efficiency, dignity, hospitality and confidence,’ the minister said, noting that the quality of airport infrastructure shapes the first physical impression international visitors have of a country.

While pursuing this objective, the Minister also pointed out that the Federal Government would simultaneously strengthen the capacity of the nation’s airports to support trade, tourism, investment and connectivity.

The minister’s position comes as the global airport industry increasingly moves towards integrated infrastructure in which terminals function not only as passenger-processing facilities but also as commercial, logistics and economic platforms.

He said next-generation airports must be safe, efficient, financially sustainable, technologically enabled, environmentally responsible and resilient to disruption.

Keyamo identified digital transformation, smarter infrastructure, data-driven decision-making and diversified commercial models as critical components of future airport development.

He also linked airport infrastructure development to the government’s broader objective of building an aviation economy in which Nigeria moves beyond consuming aviation services to producing greater value across the aviation value chain.

‘An airport is not simply a place where aircraft land and take off. It is an economic ecosystem,’ he said.

According to him, airports create employment, support tourism and logistics, attract investment, facilitate trade and connect businesses to markets.

He added that the government was encouraging greater private-sector participation in airport infrastructure and services, while maintaining safety, security, service and public-interest standards.

The minister further disclosed that Nigeria was supporting the development of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capacity, aircraft leasing, cargo infrastructure and other components of the aviation value chain.

On airport connectivity, Keyamo said Africa needed stronger intra-African air links to support the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He argued that airport infrastructure would be central to converting Africa’s expanding economic space into practical connectivity and increased movement of people, goods and services.

‘Aviation must help make that economic integration real,’ he said.

Keyamo also disclosed that Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 per cent following the 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission, describing the result as the country’s highest-ever score.

He, however, said the achievement should be treated as a new baseline rather than a destination, stressing the need for continued improvement in aviation safety and institutional performance.

The minister said the transformation of Nigerian airports must ultimately be measured by passenger experience, with technologies such as biometrics, artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics deployed to make journeys safer, faster and more efficient.

He called for stronger collaboration among African governments, airport operators, airlines, regulators, investors and development partners to address the continent’s infrastructure and connectivity gaps.

The 35th ACI Africa gathering, he said, should therefore produce partnerships, investments and implementable solutions capable of strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of African airports.

Atiku: 67.4% of Nigerians want petrol subsidy restored

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cited a recent SBM Intelligence survey as evidence of growing demand for relief from high petrol and living costs.

He said 67.4 per cent of respondents favoured restoring petrol subsidy.

Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the survey showed that petrol was the second-most cited national concern and the worst-rated policy issue of the administration, with a score of 1.69 out of four.

He said the findings reflected the impact of high fuel and transportation costs on households, workers, farmers and businesses, arguing that the government should respond to the concerns raised by the survey.

According to him, petrol was identified as the primary concern by 32.4 per cent of rural respondents, compared with 11.7 per cent of urban respondents.

He also cited figures of 30.5 per cent in the Southwest and 29.1 per cent in the Southsouth.

Atiku said the findings reinforced his opposition to the removal of petrol subsidy without what he described as adequate measures to protect household incomes, transportation and domestic production.

He said his proposed alternative would not restore the former subsidy regime but introduce a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold domestically.

Under the proposal, he said imported products would not qualify, while the scheme would have a fixed spending limit, National Assembly approval and independent audits.

Atiku said the objective would be to reduce fuel costs, support domestic refining, create jobs and improve purchasing power.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide immediate relief to Nigerians, arguing that economic reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on living standards.

KCPC seals Kano firm over alleged mislabeling of machine power capacity

The Kano State Consumer Protection Council (KCPC) has sealed NUCCY GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTD over alleged violations of consumer protection regulations.

The Council said the action followed a complaint over the quality and accuracy of information provided on some of the company’s products, particularly claims about the power capacity of machines manufactured by the firm.

The Executive Secretary of KCPC, Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, said manufacturers, companies, and traders had a responsibility to respect consumer rights by providing accurate and essential information about their products before purchase or use.

According to the Council, investigations revealed allegations that the power capacity of some machines did not correspond with the specifications stated on their packaging.

KCPC said it followed due process and obtained a court order authorizing the closure of the company pending further investigation.

NUCCY GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTD manufactures machines used for grinding, water processing, and other related purposes.

Dr Muhammad urged members of the public to report products or business practices that could pose risks to consumers, assuring them that the Council would take appropriate action to protect their rights and interests.

He also called for continued support for the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in its efforts to promote responsible business practices, strengthen industrial standards and improve the business environment in the state.

He said the Council would sustain monitoring and inspection activities across markets, shops, and other business premises to ensure that products offered for sale comply with relevant standards, are not expired, and contain accurate information to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

The Council urged manufacturers and traders to comply with all applicable consumer protection laws and regulations in the state.

NMDPRA warning: PETROAN orders members to calibrate fuel dispensers

Owing to the warning from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Thursday, directed all its members to immediately inspect, calibrate and verify dispensing pumps and totalizers at their retail outlets.

The directive is coming on the heels of the Authority’s reported cases of

cases of under-dispensing of petroleum products nationwide.

The PETRAON National President, Prince (Dr) Billy S. Gillis-Harry, and National Secretary, Barr. Adedibu Aderibigbe said the directive was based on the NMDPRA industry circular.

The circular had said under-dispensing is a breach which ‘will not be tolerated.’

The association said it was among the bodies specifically asked by the regulator to notify members and support full compliance.

According to the circular, all petroleum retail outlet operators are required to carry out immediate calibration and verification of their dispensing equipment to ensure accurate measurement and guarantee that consumers receive full value for the products they purchase.

PETROAN said NMDPRA has intensified inspection and enforcement activities across the country, and that outlets found under-dispensing, using improperly calibrated equipment, or otherwise compromising dispensing accuracy would be required to take immediate corrective action. The association warned that persistent or serious violations could attract sanctions, including revocation of operating licenses.

The association urged its members to conduct immediate inspection and calibration of equipment, maintain accurate records of calibration and maintenance activities, cooperate fully with regulatory inspection teams, and uphold transparency and consumer protection standards across their operations.

‘Your prompt action and full compliance with this directive are highly appreciated,’ the association said, describing the matter as one requiring ‘utmost seriousness’ from members.

NMDPRA had earlier issued a circular titled ‘NMDPRA Strengthens Enforcement Against Under-Dispensing at Retail Outlets,’ in which it directed MEMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN and PETROAN to notify their members of the requirement.

The regulator said it remains committed to protecting consumers and upholding the integrity of petroleum product transactions nationwide.

Tinubu hails Aig-Imoukhuede at 60, celebrates banking, public service legacy

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated renowned banker and businessman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, on his 60th birthday, describing him as one of a generation of Nigerians who took bold bets on the country and demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian institutions to compete at the highest levels.

Tinubu, in a special tribute to Aig-Imoukhuede on Thursday, said the banking executive’s career had spanned business, financial market development, public service and philanthropy, with his contributions touching several institutions and creating opportunities for many Nigerians.

The President particularly highlighted Aig-Imoukhuede’s years at Access Bank, where he became Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in 2002 and presided over a period of significant growth.

Aig-Imoukhuede currently serves as Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group.

‘I have followed Aigboje’s journey in business and public life over the years. He has earned his place among a generation of Nigerians who took bold bets on our country and proved that Nigerian institutions could compete at the highest levels.

‘His years at Access Bank are an important part of that story. He became Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in 2002 and led the bank through a period of significant growth. Today, he is Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group’, Tinubu said.

The President also praised the banker’s contributions to the development of Nigeria’s financial markets, noting his service as President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and founding Chairman of FMDQ Securities Exchange.

He added that Aig-Imoukhuede currently serves as Co-Chairman of EnterpriseNGR.

Tinubu also recalled Aig-Imoukhuede’s role in public service, particularly his 2012 appointment as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments.

‘He has been equally willing to take on public responsibilities. In 2012, he chaired the Presidential Committee on the Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments, a difficult assignment at an important time for our country’, the President said.

Tinubu also commended Aig-Imoukhuede and his wife, Ofovwe, for their philanthropic interventions through the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, particularly in strengthening public service, developing public-sector leadership and supporting improved healthcare.

‘I particularly commend the work Aigboje and his wife, Ofovwe, have done through the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation. They have invested in improving public service, preparing public servants for greater responsibility and supporting better healthcare.

‘I am pleased that after considerable success in private enterprise, Aigboje continues to devote his experience and resources to the progress of our country’, Tinubu said.

The President described the banker’s 60th birthday as an important milestone and an opportunity to reflect on a career that had influenced several institutions and opened doors for others.

‘Sixty is an important milestone. For Aigboje, it is also an opportunity to reflect on a career that has touched many institutions and opened doors for many people’, he said.

Tinubu joined Aig-Imoukhuede’s wife, Ofovwe, their children, family, friends and associates in celebrating him, wishing him good health, happiness and many more years of service to Nigeria and humanity.

Ex-DPWH exec in Zaldy Co case to cite lack of equipment as defense

The alleged lack of construction equipment needed to ‘correctly verify’ whether the road dike project in Oriental Mindoro complied with government standards will form part of the defense of a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official, who is among the co-accused of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co in a malversation case.

The case against Co and nine DPWH officials before the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division stemmed from the P289.4-million Sunwest project in Naujan town, which prosecutors said was found to have serious structural deficiencies, particularly involving its steel sheet piles (SSPs).

According to the lawyer of project engineer Felizardo Casuno, their next witness, Jonathan Araullo, officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Quality and Safety in DPWH Region IV-B, is intended to prove their defense regarding SSPs.

Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, Sixth Division chair, asked Casuno’s lawyer Dustin Jay Condez what will be the nature of Araullo’s testimony.

‘He will testify on the absence or inadequacy of construction equipment to correctly verify the depth of the embedded sheet piles,’ Condez said in response.

Fernandez asked prosecutors whether they were willing to stipulate to this fact, but the latter told the court they could not confirm it.

With this matter left unsettled, Araullo will testify on Tuesday (Sept. 29) while Casuno himself will take the witness stand next Thursday (Oct. 1).

DPWH chief Vince Dizon, who inspected the site in September last year, discovered that the road dike only has a three-meter SSPs, which is far from the 12-meter requirement.

On Wednesday, Dizon testified in the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on the graft case of Co and his co-accused stemming from the same case

Lagos APC expels Egunjobi, Yusuf

Two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State were yesterday expelled by the party leadership.

The chieftains, Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi and Mr. Azeez Yusuf, were expelled, following their anti-party activities and disloyalty to the party.

Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said in a statement that they exhibited conduct considered inimical to the integrity and party discipline.

Egunjobi and Yusuf contested APC primaries for Agege Constituency I and Agege Constituency II, but failed to secure the party’s tickets.

Rather than respect the outcome of the internal democratic process and remain loyal to the platform on which they sought election, they obtained tickets from the opposition Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Ojelabi said the party viewed the conduct as a clear repudiation of the obligations of party membership and an unacceptable act of anti-party activity and disloyalty.

He said in a statement that their purported resignations from the APC were therefore, viewed as a belated and face-saving attempt to pre-empt the consequences of their actions.

Ojelabi says the party’s position is that membership of the APC cannot be treated as a convenient political garment to be worn during a primary and discarded immediately after an unsuccessful outcome.

He said: ”APC is a political organisation governed by rules, regulations and constitutional obligations. While members are free to aspire to elective office, such aspirations must be pursued within the framework of the party’s constitution and the applicable electoral laws.

‘A member who loses an internal contest is expected to accept the outcome or pursue legitimate avenues of redress provided by the party and the law-not to undermine the party by seeking an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle.

‘The party has accordingly invoked the relevant provisions of Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution (as amended in 2022) in taking disciplinary action against the two former members.

‘Their conduct is particularly significant in the context of the 2026 electoral framework. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has emphasised the obligation of political parties and political actors to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Commission’s regulations governing the electoral process.

‘The Lagos APC therefore wishes to make it abundantly clear that Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi and Mr. Azeez Yusuf are no longer members of the All Progressives Congress.

‘Consequently, neither individual has the authority to speak for, represent, negotiate on behalf of, or otherwise transact any business with any person, organisation or institution in the name of the Lagos State APC or the All Progressives Congress.

‘The party urges members, supporters, stakeholders and the public to take note of their changed status and to refrain from dealing with either of them as representatives or authorised agents of the APC.

”The APC remains committed to internal democracy, discipline, loyalty and respect for the rules governing the organisation. The right to contest an election does not confer the right to sabotage the party after losing its nomination process.

‘The APC is a party of rules. Its tickets are contested, its decisions are respected, and its integrity will be protected.

‘The Lagos APC will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the discipline, cohesion and credibility of the party as it prepares for the forthcoming elections.’

Sabinus decries growing ‘agbero’ menace in Lagos

Emmanuel Ejekwu, a popular skitmaker and content creator known as Sabinus, has lamented the rising activities of area boys, or agberos, in Lagos.

The comedian reacted after reposting a viral video showing agberos causing a scene at Onikan Stadium.

Describing the situation as an ‘agbero pandemic,’ Sabinus said he had refrained from speaking about it to avoid online attacks.

‘If I dey talk about this agbero pandemic for Lagos, una go begin attack person. Just look at grown men and people’s breadwinners making a mess of themselves. I don wash my hands for this matter,’ he wrote.

His post prompted reactions on social media, with many agreeing that touting and harassment by agberos remain a major concern in parts of Lagos.

Court sacks Pantami as Gombe PDP guber candidate, orders fresh primary

The gubernatorial ambition of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has suffered a temporary setback as a Federal High Court No. 1 sitting in Gombe has nullified his emergence as the governorship candidate of the Wike-backed main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed on Thursday in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process through which Isa Ali Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.

Usman Aliyu Garry had argued that the PDP failed to conduct a valid governorship primary before announcing Pantami as its candidate on June 26, 2026.

Isa Ali Pantami had emerged as the party’s candidate in a contest involving other aspirants, including Abdulladir Hamma Sale, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Monica Kaltho.

The plaintiff challenged the process, contending that the party’s decision to adopt Pantami without conducting the required primary election was contrary to its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.

In her judgment, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in accordance with the party’s guidelines and applicable electoral laws.

The ruling effectively nullified Isa Ali Pantami’s emergence through the earlier process and requires the PDP to commence a fresh process for selecting its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The judgment is the latest development in the legal battle over the PDP governorship ticket in Gombe State.

Ogun: PLWDs urge Abiodun to implement disability law before leaving office

Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in Ogun State, under the aegis of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to ensure the full implementation of the Ogun State Disability Law before the expiration of his administration.

The bodies made the plea on Wednesday at a joint press briefing held at the NUJ Hall, Iwe Iroyin House, Abeokuta, describing the situation as a case of moving the law ‘from paper to action.’

Tribune Online recalled that the Ogun State Disability Law was assented to by former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in 2017.

The groups lamented that almost nine years after its enactment, the law had yet to reach the stage of full operational implementation.

The National President of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Abdulwahab Matepo, said the delay had left persons with disabilities waiting for the legal framework to translate into functioning institutions, enforceable protections, accessible systems and practical opportunities.

Matepo explained that JONAPWD’s estimated data put the number of persons living with disabilities in Ogun State at 1,032,221, based on a 15 per cent benchmark applied to the National Population Commission’s 2025 population projection.

He stressed that behind the figures were people seeking access to education, healthcare, employment, transportation, infrastructure, economic opportunities and political participation without discrimination.

Similarly, the state chairman of JONAPWD, Ayo Awobona, said the groups had previously engaged with the Ogun State House of Assembly, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, traditional rulers and other stakeholders since 2025, including proposals for amendments to address identified gaps in the existing law.

Awobona also disclosed that a delegation of the disability community met with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwasina Olanrewaju Ogungbade, SAN, a few months ago, during which he assured them that he would work on the law and provide an update within two weeks.

The JONAPWD chairman acknowledged that the existing law might require amendments and urged the government to operationalise the law in accordance with due process while pursuing any necessary amendments simultaneously.

He further explained that the non-implementation of the law had practical consequences for PLWDs, including inaccessible public institutions, inadequate inclusive education and transportation, discrimination, harmful practices and limited participation in governance and decision-making.

JONAPWD and SCIAN emphasised that persons with disabilities were not seeking charity, but ‘rights, dignity, equality, accessibility, participation and inclusion,’ calling on Governor Abiodun to provide the necessary political direction to ensure that the process of implementing the law was concluded before the expiration of his tenure.

The groups also charged political parties and governorship candidates to make disability inclusion part of their policy agenda, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure accessible polling units, voting materials and appropriate assistance for persons with disabilities.