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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) yesterday released data for global air cargo markets in September 2025, showing continued momentum in the sector despite evolving global trade patterns and policy headwinds.

According to the data, African airlines saw a 14.7% year-on-year increase in demand for air cargo in September, the strongest rise of all regions while capacity increased by 7.4% year-on-year.

Global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 2.9% year-on-year compared to September 2024, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth. International operations rose by 3.2%. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), also grew by 3.0% year-on-year (+4.4% for international operations).

‘Air cargo demand grew 2.9% year-on-year in September, marking the seventh consecutive month of overall growth.

Buried in that growth is a significant alteration of trade patterns as US tariff policies, including the ending of de minimis exemptions, kick in.

On one side of the equation, a decline in North America-Asia demand has set in over the last five months.

But this has been more than compensated for with strong growth within Asia and on routes linking Asia to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. While many had feared an unwinding of global trade, we are instead seeing air cargo adapting successfully to serve shifting market demands,’ said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Several macroeconomic and operational factors influenced performance in September, according to the data.

It said global goods trade grew by 3.7% year-on-year in August while jet fuel prices rose 5.4% month-on-month despite lower crude oil prices, driven by a tighter diesel market that doubled the crack spread compared to a year earlier.

Manufacturing sentiment strengthened globally, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising for the second consecutive month to 51.3.

New export orders improved slightly to 49.6, remaining below the 50-point expansion threshold, reflecting ongoing caution amid trade policy uncertainty.

.Expert explains rise in air cargo

Speaking with our correspondent, an aviation analyst and cargo player, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick said if there is a strong demand, it means the volume has increased.

He stated that this could be as a result of the fast coming holiday season, saying, ‘Since COVID, most cargo operators boycotted Africa because Africa didn’t have the money.’

He lamented however that most freighters (cargo aircraft) coming to Africa especially from China return empty.

The Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (ntel) has unveiled a roadmap for the resurgence of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, the ntel CEO, Mr Soji Maurice-Diya, mapped out a comprehensive vision that positions the once-dormant national carrier for a digital comeback driven by innovation, youth inclusion, and strategic industry collaboration.

Maurice-Diya, who assumed office as ntel’s CEO earlier this year, spoke extensively on Nigeria’s telecoms evolution, regulatory direction, infrastructure gaps, and ntel’s plans to re-emerge in the market by the first quarter of 2026.

He emphasised the importance of building on Nigeria’s 25-year telecoms legacy through renewed innovation, policy synergy, and deeper localisation of content and infrastructure.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s telecommunications journey, Maurice-Diya noted that the sector has matured into one of the country’s most resilient economic pillars.

‘Most of us are aware that the telecoms industry in Nigeria, as we know it today, started almost 25 years ago,’ hesaid. ‘

It has witnessed significant and impactful growth, particularly in supporting Nigeria’s broader commercial ecosystem ‘

He credited the major operators-MTN, Airtel, and Glo-for demonstrating long-term commitment that brought relative market stability after the turbulent early years of deregulation. The industry, he explained, has evolved from a high-entry, volatile market into a more predictable ecosystem that contributes substantially to Nigeria’s GDP’.

Addressing Nigeria’s connectivity challenges, Maurice-Diya pointed to the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Act, which now protects telecoms assets against vandalism and sabotage, as a milestone.

He said complementary measures-such as dynamic pricing, tax incentives, and green-energy adoption-will deepen sector resilience.

He cited the Federal Government’s ongoing investments in 7,000 new rural telecom towers and the 90,000-kilometre national fibre-optic project as crucial steps toward bridging Nigeria’s connectivity divide.

‘We at ntel will play a role not only by supporting the ecosystem but also by creating interesting products that will broaden and deepen connectivity,’ he said.

A mild drama unfolded at the National Assembly yesterday when officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies during an investigative hearing.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, had convened to examine JAMB’s 2023-2024 budget performance, implementation of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), and bank statements from 2023 to date.

According to the lawmakers, three separate letters were sent to JAMB on October 6, 17, and 23, 2025, requesting the presence of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the submission of relevant financial documents.

However, instead of appearing before the committee, Prof. Oloyede delegated a Director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him.

Tension escalated when Bello asked journalists covering the hearing to vacate the room, claiming the documents he was to present contained sensitive information. The committee rejected his request, insisting that its proceedings were public and that it was constitutionally empowered to determine how its sessions were conducted.

In a surprising turn of events, Bello became visibly agitated, directed his team to leave, and abruptly walked out of the hearing, leaving lawmakers stunned.

Angered by the act, the committee ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they had already exited the National Assembly complex.

Describing the walkout as ‘unfortunate and unacceptable,’ Chairman Oforji warned that the House would not tolerate any attempt to undermine its oversight authority.

Oforji stressed that the committee’s role was to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. ‘Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians. This is not about witch-hunting,’ he added.

The committee subsequently issued a fresh directive for the JAMB Registrar to appear in person with his management team and all requested documents by Tuesday next week. ‘Failure to do so,’ Oforji warned, ‘will compel the committee to invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).’

Speaking to journalists after the heated session, members of the committee described JAMB’s conduct as a contempt of parliament and a direct affront to democratic accountability.

The session was later adjourned until next Tuesday, with a stern warning that any further disregard by JAMB would attract serious parliamentary sanctions.

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has convened a two-day National Disability Summit in Abuja, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s global commitments into tangible progress for persons with disabilities.

The summit, held from Wednesday to Thursday, follows the 2025 Global Disability Summit in Berlin and is themed ‘From Commitments to Action: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Development and Governance in Nigeria.’

Speaking at the opening, Executive Secretary of NCPWD emphasised that the summit is not just about promises but about accountability.

‘We are here to assess progress, confront challenges, and strengthen our collective accountability.

‘Nigeria’s commitments at the global level must translate into tangible changes in the lives of persons with disabilities at home.’

He noted that Nigeria has participated in every Global Disability Summit since 2018 and reaffirmed its dedication to implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

The summit brought together policymakers, development partners, civil society, and organizations of persons with disabilities to review Nigeria’s commitments, share best practices, and agree on a National Disability Action and Accountability Plan for 2025-2030.

‘We have developed frameworks for accessibility, inclusive education, employment equity, and access to work.

‘But true inclusion requires the active participation of every stakeholder – ministries, departments, agencies, the private sector, the media, and most importantly, persons with disabilities themselves.’

Dr. Markus Wagner, GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS Country Director, echoed this sentiment, stating, ‘Inclusion is not an act of charity but a matter of justice, respect, and dignity.’

He highlighted Germany’s hosting of the 2025 Global Disability Summit and the adoption of the Amman-Berlin Declaration, which aims to ensure that 15% of all development interventions directly advance disability inclusion by 2028.

Wagner also revealed that GIZ Nigeria has reached over 2,800 persons with disabilities through interventions in vocational training, digital inclusion, and livelihoods support.

‘Accessibility is not just about ramps, but about opportunity and participation,’ he said.

As the summit continues, stakeholders are expected to finalize a national action plan and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, on Wednesday raised the alarm that the recurring bandits’ attacks and fear of abductions have turned universities to zones of anxiety.

It also warned that the tragedy of the Chibok girls must never be relegated to the past as if it were a closed chapter.

President of NASU, Makolo Hassan, stated this in Abuja while addressing delegates of the union at the opening session of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Hassan said the government should be accountable at all levels to ensure it protects students, teachers and the future of education in the country.

According to him, insecurity, from kidnappings, banditry to terrorism, threatens Nigerians including workers’ lives and livelihoods as well as every other person resident in the country.

He added, ‘It is unacceptable that, while public schools crumble, the political elite and their collaborators send their children to expensive private institutions or even abroad for their education.

‘We reject this two-tier system that privileges the few and abandons the many. Quality education must be a public good, not a privilege for the wealthy.

‘Equally, we can no longer treat the security of our educational institutions as an afterthought.

‘The recurring bandit attacks and the lingering fear of abductions have turned our schools into zones of anxiety rather than learning.

‘The tragedy of the Chibok girls must never be relegated to the past as if it were a closed chapter. It remains a painful reminder of the urgent need for government accountability and decisive action to protect our children, our teachers, and our future.’

The labour leader further explained that addressing insecurity in the country requires a comprehensive multi-dimensional approach, including but not limited to strengthening security and intelligence gathering, modern technology deployment, governance and political will, eliminating corruption in security spending, promoting justice and rule of law and addressing youth unemployment.

He also warned that Nigerian workers can no longer survive on their current wages, noting inflation, poor governance, and stagnated pay have eroded the dignity of labour.

On his part, NASU’s General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, condemned the persistent threat by government officials to invoke the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, describing it as an attempt to intimidate and silence legitimate trade union actions.

Adeyemi stressed that strikes are never spontaneous decisions but last-resort measures triggered by government failures to honour agreements freely entered into with unions.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called on tax professionals to brace up for the realities of Nigeria’s evolving tax landscape following the enactment of four landmark fiscal legislations earlier this year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Virtual Legal Practitioners’ Conversion Training Programme, the President of the Institute, Mr. Innocent C. Ohagwa, urged practitioners-particularly those in the legal and financial sectors-to deepen their understanding of the country’s new tax framework and strengthen their technical competence in response to the far-reaching reforms.

He noted that the newly assented laws represent the most comprehensive tax reform initiative in Nigeria’s history, saying the initiative harmonised multiple tax statutes while simplifying compliance procedures, and enhancing institutional accountability.

He explained that while the reforms open new frontiers for professional practice, they also impose greater responsibility on tax experts to provide accurate advisory services and uphold the highest standards of ethical and technical excellence.

He emphasised that the CITN remains committed to ensuring that professionals are adequately equipped for the demands of the new tax regime through structured training, continuous professional development, and adherence to global best practices in taxation.

The CITN President further encouraged participants in the programme to engage actively and to leverage the Institute’s various learning platforms-including the Mandatory Professional Training Programme, Annual Tax Conference, and specialised workshops-to remain relevant in the rapidly changing fiscal environment.

‘Tax professionals are now expected to play a more strategic role, not only in understanding the provisions and implications of the new laws but also in ensuring their proper application and promoting fiscal integrity,’ Ohagwa stated.

The Legal Practitioners’ Conversion Training Programme, organised by the CITN Tax Academy, provides a pathway for lawyers seeking to become certified tax professionals and contribute effectively to Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform process.

Okeowo Taiwo, a Deputy Director with the Federal Inland Revenue Service in his presentation on the overview of Nigerian Tax System stated legal practitioners ‘are uniquely positioned to add value across the tax spectrum through tax advisory by advising ‘clients on compliance, structuring transactions for tax efficiency, and navigating complex tax laws; Dispute Resolution: Representing clients in objections before tax authorities, at the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and in courts.’

He stated that lawyers also have a role to play in statutory compliance by assisting clients with tax registration, filing returns, and ensuring adherence to all legal requirements while at the same time they contribute to the development of tax policy and legislation through professional bodies like the CITN and NBA.

The Governor of Benue state, Rev. Father Hyacinth Iormen Alia has approved an Interim Management Team for Lobi Stars with a former Team Manager of the club, Mr. Simon Terver Ikya, as Chairman.

According to the statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Sir Tersoo kula, the newly appointed Interim Management Committee will take over the affairs of Lobi Stars pending a proper restructuring of the club.

Other members of the committee are: seasoned sports journalist, Uja Emmanuel (Media Director), a retired elite Nigerian referee, Mr. Harry Yachi (Technical Director), astute marketer, Barrister Owocho Adejoh Ogiri, and Mr. Terzungwe Chugh, Amin/Board Secretary.

The statement also said ‘the governor warns against distractions and urges all members to work together to achieve success and ensure the club returns to top flight football.’

Therefore, the Interim Management Committee has been directed to immediately register the club for the 2025/2026 Nigerian National League (NNL) season.

It will be recalled that after over two decades in the Nigerian topflight, Lobi Stars, under the recently dissolved board and management, were relegated to the NNL after underwhelming performances in the 2024/2025 NPFL season.

Meanwhile, speaking on his appointment, the new chairman, Ikya, said he has the requisite knowledge and experience not only to shoulder the responsibility but to justify the confidence reposed in him by the governor.

He also promised to work harmoniously with other members of the committee to restore the last glory of the club.

‘I thank His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia, for reposing confidence in our ability to lead Lobi Stars.

‘Having served as Team Manager of the club, Lobi Stars, and the Nigerian football scene in general is a familiar terrain,’ he said.

While calling for all hands to be on deck to restore the fortunes of Lobi Stars, Ikya promised to hit the ground running.

The European Parliament has pledged to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in tackling security threats, managing migration, and promoting sustainable development, describing the country as a strategic partner in Africa.

Chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David MacAllister, made this known in Abuja at the end of a two-and-a-half-day visit by a European parliamentary delegation to Nigeria and the ECOWAS Commission.

He disclosed that the EU is supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity through several peace and security initiatives, including programmes on disarmament, deradicalisation, reintegration, and peacebuilding.

MacAllister observed that terrorism in Nigeria is not driven solely by ideology, saying, ‘Many factors contribute to it, such as inequality, youth unemployment, communal conflicts, weak governance, and environmental stress.

‘We expect that all groups and vulnerable communities will be adequately protected by the Nigerian authorities.’

MacAllister, who led a six-member delegation from five EU member states, said discussions with Nigerian officials focused on peacebuilding, migration management, and economic cooperation.

‘Our interest is to have a prosperous, stable, and democratic West Africa – and, in particular, a strong and stable Nigeria,’ he explained. ‘We need Nigeria to partner with us to defend our common values, manage migration flows, and promote peace and development. Nigeria matters to the European Union.’

He said the visit underscored the EU’s commitment to building a stronger partnership with Nigeria under what he described as the ‘Team Europe approach.’

‘Our visit to Nigeria illustrates the willingness of the European Union’s institutions – and, in this case, the European Parliament – to strengthen relations between Nigeria and the European Union,’ MacAllister said.

‘We reciprocally need each other as reliable and consistent partners, committed to multilateralism, international law, human rights, and a fairer and more sustainable world.’

The Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (ntel) has unveiled a roadmap for the resurgence of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, the ntel CEO, Mr Soji Maurice-Diya, mapped out a comprehensive vision that positions the once-dormant national carrier for a digital comeback driven by innovation, youth inclusion, and strategic industry collaboration.

Maurice-Diya, who assumed office as ntel’s CEO earlier this year, spoke extensively on Nigeria’s telecoms evolution, regulatory direction, infrastructure gaps, and ntel’s plans to re-emerge in the market by the first quarter of 2026.

He emphasised the importance of building on Nigeria’s 25-year telecoms legacy through renewed innovation, policy synergy, and deeper localisation of content and infrastructure.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s telecommunications journey, Maurice-Diya noted that the sector has matured into one of the country’s most resilient economic pillars.

‘Most of us are aware that the telecoms industry in Nigeria, as we know it today, started almost 25 years ago,’ hesaid. ‘

It has witnessed significant and impactful growth, particularly in supporting Nigeria’s broader commercial ecosystem ‘

He credited the major operators-MTN, Airtel, and Glo-for demonstrating long-term commitment that brought relative market stability after the turbulent early years of deregulation. The industry, he explained, has evolved from a high-entry, volatile market into a more predictable ecosystem that contributes substantially to Nigeria’s GDP’.

Addressing Nigeria’s connectivity challenges, Maurice-Diya pointed to the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Act, which now protects telecoms assets against vandalism and sabotage, as a milestone.

He said complementary measures-such as dynamic pricing, tax incentives, and green-energy adoption-will deepen sector resilience.

He cited the Federal Government’s ongoing investments in 7,000 new rural telecom towers and the 90,000-kilometre national fibre-optic project as crucial steps toward bridging Nigeria’s connectivity divide.

‘We at ntel will play a role not only by supporting the ecosystem but also by creating interesting products that will broaden and deepen connectivity,’ he said.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has released names of candidates shortlisted for the paramilitary agencies recruitment Computer Based Test (CBT).

The Board Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril (rtd), announced this in a notice issued on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The agencies are the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Jubril urged candidates who applied for recruitment into any of the four paramilitary agencies to visit the official recruitment portal (click here) to check if they had been shortlisted.

He stated: ‘From Thursday, October 30, 2025, candidates are to check if they have been shortlisted for the next stage of the exercise as well as centres for the Computer Based Test (CBT).

‘Shortlisted candidates are further requested to take note of the venue, date as well as time scheduled for the CBT.’