NEWS
Airline operator urges FG to expedite release of foreign airlines’ $450m ticket sales
Chief Executive Officer of an aviation company, Mr Segun Adewale, has urged the Federal Government to expeditiously repatriate the 600 million dollars ticket revenue belonging to foreign airlines operating in the country.
Adewale, also former Vice-Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) made gave the charge in a statement he issued on Saturday in Ikeja.
One of the airlines, Emirates Airlines on Thursday announced the suspension of its flight operations in Nigeria from Sept. 1, over its inability to repatriate its funds from the country.
International carriers operating in Nigeria have repeatedly complained about their inability to repatriate funds to their home countries.
Blocked funds belonging to these airlines have risen to about 600 million dollars as the CBN had not been able to make the dollar available for the carriers to repatriate.
READ ALSO: Emirates Sets Sept Date to Suspend Flights to Nigeria
Adewale stated that revenue from ticket sales which accumulated since 2021 till July 2022 was blocked by the CBN from being repatriated to airline operators through the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“The repatriation of revenues of all tickets sold to travellers by airline operators to their home offices is the responsibility of the CBN, but it has refused to release the equivalent in dollars for service already rendered.
“We have lost so many airlines and jobs are being lost in the aviation sector and at airports generally.
“The development is inimical to our economic wellbeing as a nation; from the spiritual angle of thought, it is wrong to muzzle the ox that threads the corn,’’ Adewale stated.
The airline chief decried that the blocked funds had already led to reduction of air connectivity and restriction of flights.
He stated that it was disheartening that the same FOREX being denied the airlines was being released to import non-essential products such as champagne and tooth picks.
“If foreign airlines suspend flight operations, businesses will be shifted to neighbouring countries like Ghana and Benin Republic.
“The issue is so difficult for the operators, who now borrow FOREX from their home offices to fuel their airplanes.
“With the increase in dollar rate leading to rise in flight ticket prices, especially en-route America and Dubai, which is now over a million naira, the environment is getting hostile for businesses to thrive,’’ he stated.
Adewale appealed to the Ministers of Aviation, Finance and the CBN to do the needful and ensure release of FOREX.
NEWS
Tinubu Hails EFCC as FBI Commends Nigeria Over International Child Sextortion Crackdown
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following recognition by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of Nigeria’s role in an international operation targeting sextortion networks exploiting minors.
The commendation followed a letter from FBI Director Kash Patel to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, acknowledging the Commission’s contribution to Operation Artemis, a joint investigation targeting criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and extortion of children.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday.
ALSO READ: ADC Accuses Tinubu of Using N50,000 Cash Relief to Woo Voters Ahead of 2027
The operation resulted in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerian suspects, Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, in August 2026. Both suspects are facing federal charges in the United States.
In his letter, Patel credited the EFCC’s cooperation for the successful outcome of the investigation.
“The successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” the FBI Director wrote.
Reacting to the recognition, President Tinubu described the commendation as evidence of Nigeria’s progress in tackling financial crimes and strengthening international law enforcement cooperation.
The President praised the EFCC Chairman and his team for their professionalism and commitment, stressing that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for individuals involved in criminal activities.
“This is the kind of institutional performance we are determined to build across our country. I commend the EFCC Chairman and his team for their professionalism and dedication,” Tinubu said.
He added: “Nigeria must never become a haven for criminals who exploit innocent people, whether at home or abroad. Our law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have my full support to pursue offenders and bring them to justice in accordance with the law.”
The President’s commendation comes amid growing international recognition of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its financial crime prevention framework.
Nigeria was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 and the European Union’s list of high-risk financial jurisdictions in January 2026.
Tinubu said the developments demonstrate his administration’s commitment to improving financial integrity, restoring international confidence and creating a secure environment for legitimate businesses and investments.
“Our fight against corruption is not measured by publicity but by results. Stronger institutions, effective law enforcement and international cooperation are essential to building a Nigeria where honest enterprise can thrive, and criminals are held accountable,” the President stated.
He also urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to sustain their efforts, assuring them of his administration’s continued support in protecting Nigerians, combating financial crimes and strengthening the country’s relationship with international partners.
NEWS
FRSC Begins Five-Day Nationwide Crackdown on Fake, Obsolete Number Plates
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is set to begin a five-day nationwide enforcement operation targeting motorists using fake, covered, defaced and obsolete vehicle number plates.
The operation, code-named Operation Guduma Phase Two, will run from Monday, November 2, to Friday, November 6, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen road safety enforcement and address security concerns linked to fraudulent vehicle registration plates.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on October 31, 2026, by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, at the FRSC National Headquarters in Abuja.
SEE ALSO: FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash
The exercise, approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, will be conducted across selected states, with designated senior officers assigned to coordinate and supervise the operation.
The renewed crackdown follows the first phase of Operation Guduma conducted in May 2026, during which the FRSC recorded 1,691 arrests across 11 states.
According to the Corps, 1,003 motorists were arrested for various number plate-related offences, while 683 were apprehended for overloading and mixed-loading. Five others were arrested for using fake diplomatic number plates.
The FRSC said the second phase was prompted by growing concerns raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over the increasing use of fake, covered, defaced, obsolete and counterfeit diplomatic number plates.
It warned that vehicles operating with fraudulent or unidentifiable registration plates could allow criminal elements to evade identification, undermine security surveillance and frustrate investigations.
Beyond the enforcement of vehicle registration regulations, the operation will also focus on maintaining free-flowing traffic along designated corridors, emergency rescue interventions and the prompt clearance of road obstructions.
Speaking ahead of the exercise, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed warned that the use of fake, concealed, defaced or obsolete number plates would no longer be treated as a minor traffic offence because of its implications for public safety and national security.
He urged motorists to ensure their vehicle registration plates are genuine, valid, clearly visible and properly displayed, while calling on members of the public to cooperate with FRSC personnel during the operation.
Mohammed also directed officers participating in the exercise to discharge their duties professionally, maintain discipline and respect the rights of citizens.
He particularly emphasised that engagements involving diplomatic number plates must be handled with appropriate courtesy and in accordance with applicable diplomatic protocols.
NEWS
Keyamo Rolls Out Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series Ahead Of 2027 Re-election Campaign
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has rolled out a short television campaign series titled Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series to showcase the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the aviation sector ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The initiative marks one of the first campaign communication interventions by Keyamo following his appointment as Director of the Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation under the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC).
The directorate is responsible for coordinating and facilitating air transportation for authorised campaign activities in support of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu Sends Six NMDPRA Executive Director Nominees to Senate, Retains Three
Demonstrating his commitment to the new assignment, Keyamo swiftly mobilised his team to produce a 30-second television campaign material highlighting the administration’s achievements in the aviation sector.
The campaign material, which has been fully paid for, is scheduled to commence airing on November 1, 2026, across major television stations. The broadcasts are expected to continue until a few days before the presidential election.
According to a press release issued on Saturday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, the Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series is designed to present a concise, compelling and accessible account of the transformation of the aviation sector under the Tinubu administration.
Through the short-format television production, the campaign seeks to bring the government’s aviation record directly to the voting public, highlighting the sector’s progress and its contribution to national development.
The statement noted that aviation serves as a critical driver of economic growth, tourism, trade, investment and international connectivity.
It added that the series is intended to draw attention to the sector’s role in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and encourage an informed public assessment of the administration’s performance.





