Travel/Tourism
Buhari Seeks Investors’ Support to Fund Aviation Infrastructure
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Both local and international investors have been urged to assist the Federal Government in funding infrastructure in the aviation sector.
President Muhammadu Buhari, speaking at the third International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) in Abuja, submitted that local and international private capitals were the surest way to fund aviation infrastructure.
Represented at the event by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the President noted that there was little commitment in financing aviation infrastructure in Africa beyond mere words.
He emphasized that the critical responsibility of all stakeholders is to ensure that the phenomenal growth trajectory of the industry is well managed and regulated for safety and efficiency, taking into account sustainable environment with friendly policies and regulations.
“The key to achieving this objective is collaboration. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is in discussions with us on financing Nigeria’s Integrated Aviation Master Plan which involves building and maintenance and the financing of a private sector led national carrier.
“The conference is timely as it will give room for a thorough engagement of the way forward and as well the practical steps required to ensure that African aviation is not left behind in the growth story of world aviation,” Mr Buhari said at the conference on Tuesday.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, noted that the theme of the forum, ‘Financing the development of Aviation infrastructure’ was apt, considering the infrastructure deficit facing the aviation sector in most parts of the world.
Mr Sirika, who further said that the deficit was bad on one hand, stated that it also provides opportunity for investment on the other hand.
He further said that Nigeria with its great potential still lacks a strong air carrier, major Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre, efficient world class airport or even a significant catering company and urged investors to on the brighter side invest in Nigeria as the country has 34 percent Rate of Return on Investment, one of the highest in the world.
He said, “I am glad to inform you that Nigeria has passed ICAO security audit with 96.4 percent while its score in the Universal Safety Oversight Audit was above global average and by far exceeds Abuja ministerial Safety target. Nigeria as a signatory to yamasoukro Decision (YD) is committed to single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM). I cannot understand how 80 per cent of carriers operating in Africa are non-African. This is unacceptable”.
He further stated that according to the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan (NIMP), $775 billion is required to develop Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure over the next 30 years.
On his part, the ICAO Council President, Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, said that financing development of aviation infrastructure was a key global priority, adding that ICAO has reprivatized itself to be a more efficient and value partner to its member states.
He further said that aviation today is by far the safest means of transportation and from global standpoint, modern commercial aircrafts connects some 10 million passengers daily on over 500,000 flights amounting to 3.8 billion passengers and 35 million flights in 2016 and the results are expected to double over the next 15 years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
