Travel/Tourism
FAAN Traces Source of Lagos Airport Fire to Server Room
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has disclosed that the fire incident at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal 1.
In a statement in the wee hours of Tuesday, the agency confirmed that six casualties were recorded, involving three males and three females.
“A total of six casualties, comprising three males and three females, were recorded, all of whom are in stable condition. One affected individual has been transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation and remains stable,” a part of the statement said.
FAAN noted that emergency response operations remain active, with coordinated firefighting, rescue, and safety teams continuing containment and recovery efforts.
A crane was successfully deployed to support rescue operations at the Control Tower, and all 14 persons initially trapped have been safely rescued and fully evacuated from the facility, it added.
The organisation disclosed that as an additional safety precaution, the sixth floor of the affected facility has been completely evacuated to support ongoing emergency operations and risk mitigation, adding that the fire within the departure hall is now largely under control, while responders continue close monitoring to prevent any spread to adjoining sections of the terminal.
“In line with established safety protocols, the airspace remains temporarily closed,” it stated, confirming that all emergency procedures were promptly activated and continue to collaborate with relevant emergency and support agencies to safeguard lives, infrastructure, and operational integrity.
Also, the statement revealed that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is actively working to establish a temporary Control Tower to enable the safe and timely restoration of airport operations as soon as practicable.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp Group), Transcorp Hotels Plc, has posted its unaudited results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.
In the results submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, it was shown that the performance for the period was driven by disciplined cost management and continued operational excellence despite moderated revenue, with post-tax profit rising by 21 per cent to N10.5 billion from N8.7 billion in the same period of 2025.
However, due to softer market demand in its International Business segment, revenue for the period moderated to N44.4 billion from N46.9 billion in Q2 2025, though Operating Expense Margin improved by 3 percentage points, demonstrating continued operational efficiency and prudent cost management.
These results validate Transcorp Hotels’ resilience and focus on operational excellence, cost efficiency, and customer-centric innovation, reinforcing its leadership in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.
Commenting on the results, the chief executive of Transcorp Hotels, Ms Uzoamaka Oshogwe, said, “Our Q2 2026 performance reflects the resilience of our business and the disciplined execution of our strategy in a dynamic operating environment.
“While market conditions remained challenging, we continued to deliver strong profitability by staying focused on operational excellence, commercial agility, and creating exceptional experiences for our guests.
“We remain committed to strengthening our market leadership, investing strategically in our business, and delivering sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”
Also, the Chief Finance Officer of Transcorp Hotels, Oluwatobiloba Ojediran, said, “Our disciplined approach to cost management, revenue optimisation, and operational execution delivered a 12 per cent increase in Profit Before Tax to N13.7 billion, alongside a 21 per cent growth in Profit After Tax to N10.5 billion, compared with N8.7 billion in the corresponding period last year.
“These strong financial results reinforce the resilience of our business, provide a solid platform for sustainable growth, and position us to continue investing strategically while delivering long-term value for our shareholders.”
Beyond the numbers, Transcorp Hotels continues to strengthen its portfolio of iconic assets. Transcorp Hilton Abuja remains one of the company’s flagship properties, while Transcorp Centre, one of West Africa’s largest purpose-built event and conference venues, is fast becoming a landmark for business, tourism, and world-class events in Nigeria.
Since its launch, the venue has hosted several landmark gatherings, further cementing its position as a premier venue for high-profile corporate and social gatherings.
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.
