Travel/Tourism
FAAN to Fix Lagos Airport Runway Lights in Six Months
By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it would address and resolve the issues hindering the installation of lights on Lagos airport runway 18L/36R (domestic airway).
It was gathered that the AirField Lighting on Runway 18 Left at the airport has been uninstalled for the past 13 years and has prevented aircraft from landing or taking off when it is dark on the runway.
The unserviceable state of the runway lights had, in June, forced British Airways to divert all its flights out of London to enable it to land at Lagos airport in the afternoon.
Addressing the situation, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Rabiu Yadudu, on Saturday after a facility tour at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said that the issue would be resolved in six months.
He said, “You know FAAN is a government agency, we cannot work and procure a new project when there is an existing one on the same facility. So many things are delayed not because of negligence or lack of attention but because you have to follow due process.
“On the 18Left Runway light that has been an ongoing issue for almost a decade and a half, a solution is in sight as agreements have been reached in principle. We are only waiting for approval so we can procure a new lighting system and install it within six months.
“So, it was not negligence or lack of attention because as a government agency, FAAN had to follow due process.”
The FAAN boss further noted that the Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, had agreed to resolve the protracted contract issues and grant approval to procure a new lighting system.
Citing that the Taxiway Bravo has attained 95 per cent completion, Mr Yadudu added that the agency would procure and install the airfield lighting (AFL) equipment after the contract issues had been resolved as it is critical to the airport’s operations.
“For the last two years since I became the MD of FAAN, our primary target, among others, is the airfield lighting on runway 18L and the taxiway Bravo, and we thank God now that taxiway Bravo is 95 per cent done. We just came from the inspection tour; it has been achieved.
“Runway 18L has been delayed because of a current contract that has been for many years, and finally, the minister has graciously accepted to resolve that issue that has been protracted, and he has agreed to grant us permission or approval to quickly procure a new lighting system,” he said.
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.
