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FG Fully Hands Over Transcorp Hotels to Elumelu

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Transcorp Hotels Discharge Certificate

By Dipo Olowookere

Chairman of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp), the core investor in Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu, has been handed over the Certificate of Discharge of the iconic hospitality facility.

The presentation was done in Abuja on Monday, October 14, 2019 by the Nigerian Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, at a ceremony that took place at the Presidential Villa.

Business Post reports that a certificate of discharge is a document issued to an investor by government indicating that he has met requirements for the acquisition of a public asset and was now in charge.

It was gathered that a its meeting yesterday, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which is chaired by Mr Osinbajo, handed over full ownership of Transcorp Hotels to the buyer after fulfilling all privatisation conditions attached to the sale of the property in 2005.

According to the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the agency which supervised the sale of the hotel, Mr Alex Okoh, Transcorp excelled at achieving the KPIs established during the monitoring and evaluation of the asset.

He said the key areas of achievement included an increase in customer base by 113 percent, increase in service excellence captured by an 82 percent decrease in customer complaints, and an increase in operational efficiency with retained earnings rising to 70 percent of turnover.

“The success achieved by the hotel has evidently proven both the diligent process of implementing the privatisation programme on one hand and the commitment and professionalism of the management team of the hotel on the other,” he said, adding that “The approval is sequel to the review and analysis of the outcome of our routine performance evaluation earlier conducted on the hotel, which clearly indicates that the achievements recorded by Transcorp Hotels are in line with all the covenanted obligations embedded in the Share Sale Purchase Agreement (SSPA).”.

Recall that in 2005, Transcorp emerged the core investors in the privatisation of the hotel asset, which later became Transcorp Hotels Plc in 2014 following a decision to make this iconic asset available to the investing public as shareholders.

The company later extended its reach to Calabar, Cross River State, operating as Transcorp Hotels Calabar and further acquired strategic properties in Lagos and Port Harcourt where it intends to develop new hotels.

In 2018, Transcorp Hotels completed a $100 million upgrade of the iconic and multi-award winning Transcorp Hilton Abuja, which was a key factor that led to the final discharge of the company by the BPE from further post- privatisation obligations.

Commenting on this, Mr Elumelu said, “Our group is known for business turn around and value creation and I support public-private partnership as a viable option for catalysing our economic development.

“For public-private partnerships to work and become a viable approach for the transformation of our country, privatised entities and their owners must justify government’s confidence in them by visibly improving the acquired assets, create jobs, and increase government revenues.

“Such positive outcomes will encourage the government to privatise more national assets and free itself of revenue for critical social and infrastructure sectors such as education, healthcare, roads, transportation, etc.”

He also commended this government for its efforts in driving economic development in Nigeria.

Also speaking on the discharge, the MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr Owen Omogiafo, stated that, “This is a significant milestone in the history of our company and a further demonstration of our long-term commitment to improving lives and transforming our nation.

The hotel recently won the prestigious World Travel Awards 2019 in five categories including Africa’s Leading Business Hotel and received the Signum Virtutis (Seal of Excellence) in the Hotels Sector for Nigeria at the 2019 Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Travel/Tourism

FAAN Launches Energy Efficient Shuttle to Support Abuja Airport

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FAAN abuja airport electric cars

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled 30 airport electric shuttle which will be used to complement airside and landside logistics.

The shuttle, which comprises 10 vehicles and 20 saloon cars, will cost N10,000 per passenger from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the City Centre.

Speaking at the event, the governing board chairman of FAAN, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, said: “Electric vehicles offer clear operational and environmental benefits. They are cleaner, quieter and more energy-efficient, significantly reducing carbon emissions and helping FAAN minimise its ecological footprint. Their use will contribute to healthier airport environments and a more comfortable work and travel experience.

“From a logistics standpoint, electric vehicles also enhance monitoring, coordination and compliance. Their predictable performance and lower maintenance demands improve operational planning, accountability and service reliability. Ultimately, this translates into more efficient, transparent and passenger-friendly services.

“This initiative directly supports global sustainability targets, including International Civil Aviation Organisation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By embracing electric mobility, FAAN is positioning Nigerian airports to remain competitive, responsible and future-ready.”

Mr Ganduje pledged the commitment of the board to ensure that the initiative is utilised, maintained, and expanded to other airports in the country.

On her part, the managing director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku noted that the agency has secured approval to deploy 100 electric vehicles to operate as airport shuttles at Lagos and Abuja airports.

“We have secured approval to deploy 100 Electric Vehicles (EVs) to operate as airport shuttles at both Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. It is a monumental step towards greening our operations and reducing our carbon footprint.”

“We proudly begin this journey with the first phase: the launch of these 10 state-of-the-art electric shuttle buses. They represent more than just transport; they symbolise cleaner air, quieter terminals, and a to pioneering sustainable infrastructure in Nigerian aviation”.

She expressed optimism that the initiative would be replicated across all airports in the country.

The head of Fleet Operations of Possible EVS, Mrs Abimbola Gyer while stating that the transport fare would be subsidised for passengers, added that operations would commence from 7am to 7pm daily.

“We partner with NEV Electric, the manufacturer of the electric buses. We would be moving passengers from the airport to the city centre at the rate of N10,000 and as demand continues, we will expand our hub. The operations will start from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m daily,” she noted.

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Quickteller Travel Secures IATA Certification

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Quickteller Travel

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The travel and tourism service powered by Interswitch, Quickteller Travel, has been issued a certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

With IATA certification, Quickteller Travel is now fully equipped to connect African travellers to global destinations, support airlines and partners with reliable distribution and settlement, and set a new standard for trusted, digitally enabled travel across the continent.

The IATA accreditation reinforces Quickteller Travel’s operational credibility, compliance standards, and ability to deliver secure, efficient, and globally recognised travel services.

It also strengthens the platform’s positioning as a reliable partner for airline bookings, corporate travel management, and end-to-end travel solutions across Africa and beyond.

The certification is a milestone that places the brand among a global network of trusted and accredited travel service providers.

This achievement comes at a time when Africa’s travel and tourism sector is experiencing renewed growth, driven by increased business travel, regional connectivity, and digital adoption.

With IATA certification, Quickteller Travel is poised to offer individuals, SMEs, corporate organisations, airlines, and other travel stakeholders a seamless digital experience, supported by Interswitch’s trusted payment infrastructure.

Integrated into the broader Quickteller and Interswitch ecosystem, Quickteller Travel combines global accreditation with local insight, offering African travellers and businesses a secure, seamless, and digitally empowered experience.

The Vice President for Transport Ecosystem at Interswitch, Ms Nnenna Ajanwachuku, said, “The IATA certification is a strong validation of Quickteller Travel’s operational standards, governance, and commitment to excellence. It enhances trust for travellers, corporate partners, and global airline stakeholders who rely on accredited platforms for secure and transparent travel transactions.

“For Interswitch, this milestone reinforces our mission to build technology-led solutions that unlock access, simplify commerce, and connect Africa to the global economy.”

Ms Ajanwachuku added that the approval would enable Quickteller Travel to deepen partnerships with airlines and travel service providers while offering customers greater confidence, choice, and value.

“Quickteller Travel is not just a booking platform; it is part of an ecosystem designed to make travel more accessible, reliable, and digitally enabled for Africans. Powered by Interswitch’s heritage of trust and innovation, we are building a platform that meets global standards while responding to local travel needs,” she said.

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Emirates, Air Peace Enhance Seamless Global Connectivity

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Emirates Air Peace

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Two key players in the Nigerian aviation industry, Emirates and Air Peace, have activated a bilateral interline agreement aimed to expand air connectivity between Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and London.

The two airline operators are building on their existing partnership to offer their passengers frictionless, single-ticket travel and with through-checked baggage, on select routes, resulting in greater travel comfort and convenience for customers.

Beyond the 13 cities in Nigeria already available for Emirates passengers on Air Peace’s network, the enhanced interline agreement now enables travellers to connect with Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal, both via Abidjan; and with Freetown in Sierra Leone and Monrovia in Liberia, both via Accra. The additional gateways allow more passengers in Africa to access Emirates world-class product and services, and vast global network.

The agreement allows Air Peace to connect its extensive West and Central African route system into Emirates’ hub in Dubai, and on key destinations including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted, Abidjan, Accra and, of course, Lagos.

With huge demand for travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,  providing Air Peace passengers with increased choice, flexibility, and global reach.

Emirates operates a Boeing 777-300ER on its Dubai-Lagos route, providing travellers with one of the best experiences in the sky.

Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages, while tuning in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment – including Nollywood classics – on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

As one of only two airlines operating a First Class cabin into Nigeria, Emirates offers an unrivalled travel experience defined by comfort, privacy and luxurious touches.

With a fleet of over 50 aircraft including Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraers, Air Peace operates an expanding network of domestic, regional, and international services, connecting major cities across Africa and beyond.

The airline remains committed to strengthening intra-African connectivity, supporting trade and tourism, and contributing meaningfully to economic development across the continent.

“Enhancing our interline partnership with Air Peace allows us to expand our footprint across more of Africa, creating new opportunities for people to fly better with Emirates, while helping international tourists explore more of the region, via Lagos.

“We remain committed to working with strategic partners such as Air Peace to further strengthen Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors,” the Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, said.

His counterpart at Air Peace, Nowel Ngala, while commenting, said, “This interline agreement with Emirates represents a major step in Air Peace’s strategic vision to connect Africa more efficiently to global markets.

“By combining our strong regional presence with Emirates’ extensive international network, we are delivering seamless connectivity, improved travel experience, and greater access to key global destinations for African travellers. This partnership further reinforces Air Peace’s role as a critical bridge between Africa and the global aviation ecosystem.”

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