Travel/Tourism
Airlines to Allow Nigerians With Expired International Passports Unhindered Entry

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has written to foreign missions and airline operators to allow Nigerians with expired international passports, who are returning home, not to be disturbed.
This information was contained in a circular from the Comptroller General of Immigration, Mr Isah Jere Idris, dated December 9, 2022, and referenced NIS/CHI/FD/208/20.
The notice signed by the Special Assistant to the CGI (Foreign Desk), B.M. Lawal, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, said, “I am directed to respectively present the compliments of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service and notify all relevant authorities that the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved that Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.
“Consequently, all airlines are requested to allow holders of expired Nigerian passports to board without let or hindrance.
“In addition, all Nigerian Diplomatic Missions abroad are kindly requested to circulate this information to airline operators and border authorities of host countries for their necessary action.”
The agency said it had increased the number of implemented reforms, the latest being the launch of the diaspora fastrack special service that enables the service to respond urgently to the special needs of Nigerians who live abroad and coming back to the country.
Giving further details on the series of reforms in the passport and immigration sector, the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Mr Anthony Akuneme, said the special fastrack service for Nigerians in the diaspora entailed the setting up of diaspora desks at all the international airports in the country for the exclusive use of returnee Nigerians to renew their expired Nigerian international passports and access any other immigration services without any stress upon their arrival in the country.
On the implementation of the various components of the passport administration reforms, Mr Akuneme said the milestones recorded so far include the successful rollout of the new enhanced e-Passport with Polycarbonate Data Page and 25 security features, making the Nigerian international passport more respected globally.
Travel/Tourism
Wakanow, ValueJet to Boost Local Flight Inventory

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A partnership aimed to boost local flight inventory has been entered into between Wakanow and ValueJet.
According to a statement from the foremost travel tech company, the deal allows Wakanow to host ValueJet’s inventory on its website and increase local flight inventory available to local travellers.
ValueJet is the latest airline to partner with Wakanow, joining its network and enabling Wakanow-connected customers to find and use bespoke solutions to support their specific travel needs and requirements.
The deal aligns with Wakanow’s aim of delivering access to all local flight inventory in real time and an all-year-round flight schedule. It also showcases its continuous commitment to the development of the domestic travel industry in Nigeria.
“As the foremost travel tech company in Nigeria and West Africa, this partnership for us is a reinforcement of our commitment to give our customers the best and to remain the number one distribution partner to our Nigerian Airlines.
“We are constantly innovating around our customers’ travel needs and partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure that our customers enjoy a robust and seamless service offering.
“Partnering with ValueJet, who share in our vision of delivering a unique travel experience at a great value to our joint customers, was certain,” the chief executive of Wakanow Nigeria, Mrs Adenike Macaulay, said.
While corroborating the CEO, the Group Chief Technology Officer of Wakanow Group, Mr Oyedeji Ojo, said, “Wakanow, as a leader in the Nigerian travel industry, has continued to bring value to air travellers through collaborations.
“We’re delighted to welcome ValueJet as a Partner, and together, we will serve our customers with great flight inventories and concentrate on creating enhanced traveller experiences across all customer touchpoints.”
On his part, the Chief Commercial Officer of Value Jet, Mr Trevor Henry, said, “We are happy to announce our strategic partnership with Wakanow, making history as the first travel company to provide ValueJet’s Live Inventory bookable in real-time, thus enabling the delivery of a seamless booking experience for Wakanow and ValueJet’s customers.”
Wakanow, Africa’s foremost travel tech agency, offers the best travel deals and experiences within the global travel industry to corporate and individual air travellers.
Travel/Tourism
Normalcy Restored at Lagos Airport as Aviation Workers Suspend Strike

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Normalcy was restored at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos on Monday afternoon after workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc disrupted flight operations this morning.
The aviation workers had embarked on an indefinite strike action to ask for a better welfare package from the management of the company.
Their action left many air passengers stranded on Monday morning, with operators suspending their flights in the process.
But the industrial action was later called off by the leaders of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees, which promised to enter into talks with NAHCO, with a view to resolving the matter.
The aggrieved employees of NAHCO asked the management to increase their salaries after hike air fares by 100 per cent. They claimed that the company was being insensitive to their welfare.
Travel/Tourism
NAHCO Workers’ Strike Paralyses Flight Operations At Lagos Airport

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Activities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, were paralysed on Monday after some employees of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc embarked on an industrial action.
The NAHCO workers protested the failure of the management of the company to heed their demands, including an increase in salaries and better welfare packages.
Air passengers who were at the Lagos airport were left frustrated today due to the demonstration by the aviation workers, with a few international flights disrupted.
It was gathered that most airline operators were caught unawares as they did not have prior notice that the NAHCO staff members were planning to down tools on the first working day of the week.
This led to the abrupt suspension of flight operations by most operators this morning while efforts were being made to resolve this issue in order to reduce the losses that could arise from the action of the workers.