Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has declared October as Pharmacy Rx emblem month to promote public awareness of the role of community pharmacies in healthcare delivery across the country.

The declaration was made by the national chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, during a press conference held at the association’s national secretariat on October 4, 2025.

Pharm. Ezeh described the initiative as a major milestone in the advancement of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.

‘It gives me great honor and joy to formally declare this month as Pharmacy Rx Emblem Month,’ he said. ‘This special designation is not just symbolic but a powerful statement that reaffirms the central role of community pharmacy in safeguarding the health and well-being of our people.’

He explained that the Rx emblem-the universal symbol of trust, professionalism, and healing-represents the integrity and credibility of community pharmacists who provide genuine medicines and expert care.

‘By dedicating this month to the Rx emblem, we are showcasing our community pharmacy premises as unique sanctuaries where patients can confidently access authentic medicines, professional pharmaceutical care, and comprehensive healthcare services,’ he added.

Pharm. Ezeh emphasized that community pharmacies serve as vital health hubs within neighborhoods, providing more than just prescription dispensing.

‘In an era where counterfeit and substandard medicines threaten public safety, the Rx emblem stands as a beacon of assurance and authenticity, guiding patients to where quality and professionalism are guaranteed,’ he noted.

He outlined the objectives of the month-long campaign to include promoting public awareness that pharmacies bearing the Rx emblem are trusted centers of excellence in healthcare delivery, as well as reinforcing the bond between pharmacists and the communities they serve.

Showcasing the wide range of services offered by community pharmacies, such as patient counseling, chronic disease management, preventive care, and wellness support.

Pharm. Ezeh called on Nigerians to recognize the strategic position of community pharmacies as the most accessible healthcare facilities for millions seeking medical attention.

‘Let us use this month to boldly tell our story, that community pharmacy remains the most accessible and trusted healthcare facility,’ he said.

In his closing remarks, he urged government authorities, healthcare stakeholders, and the general public to support community pharmacists in their mission to deliver quality healthcare, protect lives, and build healthier communities.

‘Together, let us make the Rx emblem shine as a trusted guide to safe medicines, professional care, and healthier living,’ he concluded.

The ACPN reaffirmed its commitment to empowering community pharmacists and strengthening the delivery of quality pharmaceutical care across Nigeria.

National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has called on Nigerian farmers to embrace biotechnology as a safe, proven, and effective tool for increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring national food security.

Speaking during a Sensitisation Workshop on Biotechnology and Biosafety/Farmers Field Day held in Jagwada, Keffi, Nasarawa State, the Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at NBRDA, Dr. Rose Gidado, highlighted the success of the BT Cowpea variety in improving yields and reducing pest-related losses across farms in the country.

Dr. Gidado explained that the workshop was organised to educate farmers who have not yet accessed BT Cowpea seeds and to showcase the remarkable progress recorded by those already cultivating the improved variety.

‘We are here to engage with farmers who have not yet had access to BT Cowpea and to demonstrate what is already on ground. Our farmer here, Emmanuel, has been growing the variety since 2023 and is now an outgrower for a seed company. He’s doing excellently well,’ she said.

Approved for commercial release in 2019 by the National Variety Release Committee, the BT Cowpea was developed to resist the destructive Maruca pod borer pest. Dr. Gidado noted that the variety continues to perform exceptionally well, proving the technology’s reliability, environmental safety, and resilience.

‘The technology is working. This variety matures early, is climate-smart, and significantly reduces pesticide use. That means fewer harmful residues in the grains,’ she stated, adding that one of the farmers now exports his BT Cowpea to the United Kingdom, where it has passed all quality checks.

The NBRDA director also cautioned farmers against misinformation about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), emphasizing that biotechnology crops are safe for cultivation and consumption.

‘Nigerian farmers should not run away from this technology. Don’t listen to rumor mongers. GMOs are safe. Look at this farm it’s full of life. You can see weeds, groundnuts, sorghum, insects, even ants. Everything is thriving,’ she said.

Describing the BT Cowpea as a testimony of Nigerian scientific success, Dr. Gidado commended the collaboration between NBRDA and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in promoting biotechnology awareness and outreach across farming communities.

‘We are proud to be part of this success story. We are contributing to Nigeria’s food security and giving farmers access to quality, climate-resilient seeds,’ she added.

One of the host farmers, Mr. Ogenomor Emmanuel, shared his impressive results cultivating BT Cowpea on his 7.7-hectare farm. Beginning with five hectares in 2023, he said he expanded his cultivation area due to the crop’s exceptional performance.

‘For conventional cowpea, you spray pesticides seven to eight times, but with BT Cowpea, once every 15 days is enough. The difference in yield is massive,’ he said.

According to him, while local cowpea varieties produce three to four bags per hectare, the BT Cowpea yields between 21 and 22 bags per hectare, representing a dramatic increase in productivity and income.

Emmanuel also noted the variety’s shorter cooking time and resilience.

‘It cooks in about 35 to 40 minutes, unlike the local beans that take up to three hours,’ he explained.

Since October 2024, Emmanuel has been exporting BT Cowpea to buyers in the UK and the US, earning double what he would have made in local markets. He attributed the high demand to the grain’s purity and cleanliness, even during the rainy season.

‘Some farmers said it’s impossible to have clean beans during the rainy season, but BT Cowpea has proven otherwise. It can even be planted two to three times a year-that’s how resilient it is,’ he said, noting that he harvested 7.6 tons from five hectares in his first season.

Another participant, Master Balat Ishaya, a farmer from Kaduna State, described the workshop as a game-changer that could revolutionize farming if scaled across Nigeria.

‘This workshop is an eye-opener. If such programs reach more rural communities, it will replace the primitive way of farming and boost productivity. More productivity means more development,’ he said.

He emphasized that wider adoption of biotechnology could accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward food sufficiency and economic growth, noting that ‘a nation with enough food for its people is a nation on the path to prosperity.’

The NBRDA Sensitisation Workshop forms part of the agency’s ongoing national campaign to promote the safe adoption of biotechnology and biosafety practices.

It aims to empower farmers with innovative tools to improve yields, increase incomes, and strengthen Nigeria’s food system through science-driven agriculture.

It’s a fragile truce holding between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals over alleged anti-labour practices by the refinery, regarding which the labour body had called down industry Armageddon. PENGASSAN suspended its nationwide strike mid- last week, but warned the backdown was only temporary. It vowed speedy return to the trenches at the slightest indication of bad faith by Dangote.

The labour association had, on Sunday, called an industrial action that momentarily crippled Nigeria’s oil and gas sectors, all in avowed bid to bring Dangote into line. Government had to mediate and, on Wednesday, PENGASSAN announced it was pulling back on ‘moral high ground’ by bowing to government persuasion despite strong doubts about the sincerity of Dangote Group. ‘We are only suspending, not calling off this strike. If any part of this agreement is broken, we will not give any warning. We will immediately resume our suspended industrial action,’ said PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, who is also the president of Nigeria’s alternate labour centre, the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Dangote refinery is a $20billion private venture commissioned in 2023, and its rift with PENGASSAN centred on claims that the management sacked some 800 workers because they chose to join the labour association, allegedly against the policy of the organisation to not have its employees unionise. The association further alleged that the sacked workers were replaced with more than 2,000 Indians, which it described as an affront to Nigerian workers and a violation of the country’s Constitution, labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. It thus directed its members to paralyse operations at the refinery by cutting off crude and gas supplies to it.

In case you wonder how that works, PENGASSAN has members in organisations that supply Dangote with basic operational feedstocks like the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), and their compliance with the union’s directive meant the refinery got starved of those inputs. But PENGASSAN’s war was not restricted to Dangote, and it wasn’t like the association wanted it to be; it spilled over to national terrain as the association ordered its members nationwide to pull their services, thereby hobbling Nigeria’s entire energy sector and not just the 650,000 barrel-per-day output Dangote refinery.

On Sunday, 28th September, that the association directed its members in various field locations to down tools from 6:00a.m., there were severe gas shortages that resulted in a reduction of national power generation by more than 1,100megawatts. The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) made known that available generation on the national grid dipped from over 4,300mw in the early hours of the day in reference to about 3,200mw at the lowest point – a development that heightened pressure on the grid and necessitated emergency measures to stabilise supply and avert nationwide blackout. Measures applied include ‘demand-side management’ that involved selective load shedding, which in practical terms for the average electricity consumer meant there was no public power supply for much of that day. There were as well snaps in supply lines of petrol and cooking gas to the market for much of last week. Up till the weekend, there were few petrol stations selling fuel in Lagos, and so at exploitative rates, while there were cooking gas shortages that inflated cost where available. The public bore the brunt.

It was not that Dangote Group took the labour challenge laying back. The refinery management denied that it victimised workers for unionising, but rather that it undertook a restructuring from security and efficiency concerns within the organisation. It argued there were of recent incidents of sabotage by some employees at its plant that brought up issues of grave health concern and safety of human lives. Besides, it further argued, only a small portion of its 3,000 Nigerian workforce was affected, and that PENGASSAN’s recourse to disrupting its operations was brigandage writ large. ‘No law grants PENGASSAN the right to cut off our supplies,’ the refinery said in a statement, as it accused the labour body of criminal conduct. It warned that disruption of its operations could significantly harm national fuel supply and revenues, urging government to stop the ‘reckless conduct.’ Well, the public’s experience proved much of its statement true.

Dangote Group also approached the National Industrial Court, from which it secured an interim order restraining PENGASSAN from disrupting the refinery’s operations. Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the ex parte injunction after Dangote refinery argued that the disruption would cause irreparable economic harm. The judge ruled that preserving industrial peace outweighed the union’s actions, and scheduled further hearing in the suit for 13th October, 2025.

Dangote management and PENGASSAN locked horns even over that court ruling. The association spurned the injunction, arguing that it had not been formally served and could not go by mere media reports. The company, for its part, accused the labour body of evading being served and at some point published the verdict in national newspapers. While the gridlock lasted, the country’s alternate labour centre, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), directed all its affiliate unions to immediately begin mobilisation for industrial action against Dangote Group – a threat that, if carried through, would have had further devastating consequences on the public.

Reprieve came only by way of government mediation – first at closed-door talks moderated by Labour and Employment Minister Mohammed Dingyadi, and Minister of State Nkiruka Onyejeocha at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja that were deadlocked, and later moved to the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. Reports said the parties eventually agreed that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with Nigerian laws, and that the right should be respected. The meeting also agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately begin the process of reabsorbing the disengaged workers and move them to other companies within the group, with no loss of pay and with no worker victimised for their role in the labour crisis. PENGASSAN, for its part, agreed to begin the process of calling off the strike. The communique at the end of the meeting added that both parties ‘agreed to this understanding in good faith.’

The labour association had accused Dangote management of peddling misinformation with the claim that the sacked workers were suspected of sabotage, whereas the real issue was about their right to unionise. Indications were that it was right, otherwise Dangote would not have agreed to reabsorb those workers and redeploy them within the group. The conglomerate, obviously, has issues with unionisation and the effects on its investment interests. Reports at the weekend said the refinery management lately wrote the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), with which it also had recently squared off, to notify the union of its tanker drivers’ voluntary withdrawal from the body’s membership. It reportedly provided evidence of that voluntary decision and made a pledge to defray attendant financial commitments. So, there’s no question that the conglomerate has union phobia and would rather not have its employees partake.

But can you blame Dangote? The labour wars with which the business venture has had contend by themselves make unionisation unattractive for a private investor who staked his capital to create job opportunities and hopes for reasonable returns on that investment. Besides, it stands to reason that there is no employer who would be comfortable outsourcing control over employees – including the power to hire, fire or retain – to a supra authority called unions. Perhaps what the refinery management did wrong was the stock disengagement of workers on suspicion of unionisation, since the power for individual staff appraisal rests invariably with the management and decisions based on those appraisals inalienably that of the management.

There is indeed a sense in which PENGASSAN’s bid to cripple Dangote’s operations was impetuously short-sighted. Refinery operation is of a kind where the pipes must stay wet or they could rust and develop blockages that could ruin the entire business. The labour association could have pressed its grouse through procedural channels like the industrial court or arbitration panel, or proactively invite government mediation; because if the refinery gets grounded, PENGASSAN’s members would be among those sent out of job.

Two final posers should drive home the point. Labour unions naturally must desire more employment opportunities for their prospective members; but do they consider that the bring-down disposition of labour conversations could scare off investors who would create those jobs? Besides, what will PENGASSAN do if Dangote replaces human workforce at its refinery with Artificial Intelligence?

One hundred and five Nigerian innovators, selected from 3,000 entries, will gather at Hilton London Paddington for the grand finale of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025.

The innovators, from all 36 states and FCT, will pitch revolutionary solutions in HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Clean Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and IoT before investors, policymakers, and development partners.

The initiative, spearheaded by National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in partnership with UKALD London, is a defining moment in Nigeria’s push towards becoming a global leader in innovation diplomacy.

Launched on May 28 in Abuja by Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, the challenge has evolved into ‘a national innovation movement’.

MBTI Director General, Dr. Kazeem Raji, said the country is not exporting talent but amplifying African solutions to the world.

He said following rigorous vetting, led by Prof. Hari Mohan of London South Bank University, the top 105 showcased their innovations at the National Showcase in Abuja on July 9, before top leaders, diplomats, and investors.

Some standout innovations expected to capture global attention, he said are: Bra-X: A smart wearable for early breast cancer detection; Multi-patient ventilator: Capable of supporting six patients simultaneously; AI-powered drones for precision farming and pest control; Clean energy solutions tailored for underserved communities and Next-generation FinTech platforms for inclusive financial access.

He said London was chosen due to its position as a hub of global capital, innovation, and diaspora investment networks.

According to him, the event will provide a platform for Nigerian innovators to connect with venture capitalists, diaspora investors, and European industry leaders, while unveiling strategic partnerships and bilateral opportunities.

Key features, he added, include: Live pitches from 105 finalists; Consortium Project Showcase: Including Interface Africa, Ogoni Land Renewal, and $1 billion Innovate Africa Israel/BIPVco Solar Project.

Others are launch of Lagos coastal areas as world’s safest innovation and leisure spot.

‘Global spotlights from SpinLab (Germany), Innovate UK, and Commonwealth Roundtable. Awards and recognition for standout innovators and partners’.

He said the event will deliver results, such as: signing of renewable energy and clean growth MOUs, among others.

Speakers and guests are Dr. Shambhu Pokharel, of Tesla, Europe; Amanda Haber, of Global Development at Innovation: Africa; Eric Weber, of SpinLab; top officials from UK Department of Business and Trade; Commonwealth Group; and local UK mayors.

He added that investor organisations expected at the event include Tesla Europe, UNDP, DP World Dubai, Innovate UK, BIPVco Wales, SpinLab Germany, Africa House London, Middlesbrough University, Kerna Ventures, Kudy Financials USA, and several African and European business chambers.

Speaking further, he said the movement enjoys the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda is credited with reviving Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

He however added that entries for the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 will open in the first quarter of next year, alongside new training and e-learning platforms designed to scale commercially viable projects nationwide.

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed his condolences to the family of the late elder statesman, Amb. Muhammad Jabbi Maradun.

The late Ambassador Jabbi passed away at the age of 82 in Abuja on Saturday, after a prolonged illness.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described Ambassador Muhammad Jabbi as a dedicated elder statesman who worked tirelessly to ensure the creation of Zamfara State.

The statement reads in part: ‘It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of Ambassador Muhammad Jabbi Maradun, a distinguished elder statesman and a true son of our beloved state, Zamfara.

‘Ambassador Jabbi was born on November 12, 1943, in Maradun local government area.

‘Ambassador Maradun served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Tunisia from 1999 to 2003.

‘He was a prominent figure in the movement for the creation of Zamfara State.

‘Following the establishment of Zamfara State, Ambassador Jabbi joined the pioneer military administration under Colonel Jibril Bala Yakubu, where he served as Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, and Tourism.

‘His political affiliations included the GNPP, NPN, and NRC parties, and he was a stakeholder in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

‘His final public service role was as a Federal Commissioner with the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission, a position he held with distinction from 2005 to 2015.

‘On behalf of the people of Zamfara State, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the emirate, and the people of Maradun Local Government for this great loss. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannah as his final resting place.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Eluonye Irabor, on his 60th birthday.

The President described him as one of Nigeria’s most remarkable soldiers and a true war commander.

In a congratulatory message yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded the retired Army general for his patriotic service and outstanding leadership during his years in uniform.

General Irabor, who hails from Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, was the CDS at the height of Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast, leading strategic operations that helped to reclaim occupied territories and restore confidence in the nation’s armed forces.

The President said Irabor’s courage and dedication have earned him a distinguished place among the nation’s military heroes.

‘He was courageous. General Irabor remains one of the most remarkable soldiers this country has ever produced,’ President Tinubu stated.

He also praised the former defence chief for his recently launched book on Boko Haram, noting that the work would enrich public understanding of the insurgency and guide future counterterrorism strategies.

The President described the book as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s security literature, adding that it would help the country to deal not only with Boko Haram but also with similar security challenges that may arise.

At the book presentation in Abuja last Friday, General Irabor explained that the publication was intended for national reflection rather than as an indictment of any individual or institution.

President Tinubu wished the retired CDS continued good health, peace of mind, and many more years of invaluable service to the nation.

Erling Haaland continued his prolific form as Manchester City battled to a narrow victory over Brentford and gave boss Pep Guardiola his 250th Premier League win.

Guardiola is the quickest manager to reach the milestone having done so in just 349 games – 55 games quicker than anyone else.

Haaland outmuscled Sepp van den Berg to gather Josko Gvardiol’s looping cross, then wriggled away from the defender before precisely slotting past Caoimhin Kelleher.

It is the Norwegian striker’s third goal this week and his 18th in 11 games for club and country this season.

City had to hold on to their slim lead at the Gtech Community Stadium for more than 80 minutes but limited Brentford to few opportunities, despite the game opening up somewhat in a scrappy second half.

Victory moves City up to fifth before the international break, but there was concern for midfielder Rodri when he hobbled off with injury after just 21 minutes.

The Spaniard missed much of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is yet to return to the form that won him the Ballon d’Or last year.

EPL RESULTS

Aston Villa 2 -1 Burnley

Everton 2-1 Crystal

Newcastle 2 -0 Nottingham

Wolves 1-1 Brighton

Brentford 0-1 Man City

The Founder and Group Managing Director of CapitalSage Holdings, John Alamu, has disclosed that processing cocoa into finished products for export is now far more profitable to Nigeria’s economy than exporting raw cocoa beans.

Alamu, who spoke on Monday while giving insights into his business journey, revealed that while an exporter of raw cocoa earns about $8,000 per tonne, the value could rise up to 30 times more when processed into finished products like chocolate.

‘Export raw cocoa, and you make $8,000 per tonne. Turn it into butter, and you earn six times more. Make chocolate, and the value rises up to 30 times,’ Alamu said.

He explained that this philosophy of value addition has been the driving force behind CapitalSage’s evolution into a fully integrated conglomerate.

Founded in 2014 with a startup capital of ?100,000, Alamu said his venture has grown into a diversified business group with interests spanning agribusiness, finance, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Under the CapitalSage umbrella is Johnvents Group, which has become a major player in Africa’s agricultural value chain.

The company operates across multiple commodities, including cocoa, sesame, legumes, cashew, soya, edible nuts, rice, and rubber, generating millions of dollars in annual revenue.

He noted that the cocoa division anchors exports of butter, liquor, cake, and powder, while the sesame and legumes unit sources premium-grade sesame, soya, and grains from across Africa.

The cashew and edible nuts division, he added, expands Africa’s footprint in the global nut value chain.

Similarly, the edible oil, feed, and water unit powers agro-industrial complexes, employing hundreds of women, while the rice and rubber segment contributes to food and industrial crop security.

Speaking in a recent Forbes Africa Independence Day Edition, Alamu recalled how his entrepreneurial journey began:

‘We started with ?100,000 in 2014, offering small loans to farmers and market women in rural Nigeria. Today, we’re building global businesses from Africa.’

He disclosed that CapitalSage Holdings now employs over 2,000 people directly and supports more than 10,000 farmers, with operations spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Alamu emphasized that, beyond corporate success, his mission is economic independence for Africa.

‘The next struggle, like independence, is economic freedom. That requires courage, disruption, and African confidence,’ he said.

In recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s economy, Alamu recently received the Business Conglomerate Leadership Award at the Marketing Edge Awards.

His achievements, industry analysts say, underscore a vital lesson for Africa’s growth that the continent’s economic future lies not in raw exports, but in value addition, transformation, and visionary leadership.

Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold has received a lasting honour in his hometown of Lagos, with a street named after him – ‘Adekunle Kosoko Street.’

The recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to the Nigerian music industry and his influence on the country’s cultural landscape.

Expressing gratitude, Adekunle Gold shared, ‘Adekunle Kosoko Street. The city that raised me now carries my name. Thank you Lord for my many blessings.’

This milestone follows the successful release of his latest album, ‘FUJI,’ which has further cemented his reputation as one of Afrobeats’ most versatile and soulful voices.

Born Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko on January 28, 1987, the award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer has built a decade-long career defined by creativity and consistency.

His music, known for its rich storytelling and emotional depth, often touches on themes of love, relationships, and social issues, resonating with fans across the world.

Over the years, Adekunle Gold has collaborated with top artists, won numerous awards, and continues to be celebrated as a trailblazer in the global Afrobeats movement.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched a ‘go cashless policy’ at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, to block revenue leakages and improve seamless operations.

FAAN also stated that it will be phasing out physical cash payments at all FAAN revenue points, including access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges, by Q1 of 2026.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said the initiative means faster, more secure transactions, an end to delays of cash handling and long queues.

Speaking during the launch at the Abuja airport on Monday, Mrs. Kuku said continued reliance on physical currency causes delays, operational inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities in revenue collection.

Kuku, represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, outlined the policy’s benefits.

She said, ‘Effective September 29th, 2025, we have started phasing out physical cash at all FAAN revenue points, including access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges.

‘The benefits are clear. A faster, smoother journey from the access gate to the parking lot for passengers and enhanced security, as you no longer need to carry large amounts of cash.

‘For FAAN and the nation, it means optimised revenue collection, significantly reduced leakage, and a robust financial accountability system.

‘We have begun this rollout strategically, starting with the access gates and lounges at the beginning, and subsequently, to all FAAN-managed airports across the country.’

On when the initiative will be fully operational, she said, ‘The card is being activated for only FAAN-managed revenue points and within this first pilot phase, we expect to increase our revenue by 50 per cent. By the time we go fully cashless, we expect to be doing between 75 per cent and 100 per cent growth on the revenue we currently do today.

‘Everybody sees our figures; they are not hidden. What we are trying to do is to ensure that we are collecting 100 per cent of all the revenue for the federal government.

‘Today, between Lagos and Abuja, we have roughly about 300,000 motorists who go through our access gate. That gives you a vague idea of what we generate from just the access gate. We haven’t considered the car parks, we haven’t considered the lounges.

‘So rest assured that by the time we roll out this program fully, which we hope will be by Q1 next year, we should be able to double the revenue we are currently making from it.

‘We have given ourselves a target of six months. And we hope that by the end of Q1, we will have phased out, totally, cash collections within the airport. So by Q1 next year, we’re totally phasing cash out at FAAN.’