Travel/Tourism
FG Rejigs Aviation Agencies for Efficiency
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has reorganised some agencies under the Ministry of Aviation, with new directorates created for efficiency and the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari obtained for the changes.
A statement from the ministry said the Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Corporate Services and Aviation Security Directorates had been created to adequately address complaints from stakeholders.
Also, the Aviation Security Directorate was created in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate the activities of AVSEC personnel, especially with their recent arms-bearing status, while the Corporate Services Directorates was saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the Procurement and Planning, Research and Departments.
The disclosure noted that Mr Buhari had approved the appointment of Mr Kabir Yusuf Mohammed as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Until his appointment, Mr Mohammed was the Regional General Manager, Central Region Airports, FAAN and Chairman of the Aviation Roadmap Implementation Committee.
Similarly, Mr Tayib Odunowo has been appointed the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). He will take over from Mr Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, who reverts to his substantive position as Director of Operations of the agency.
The Directors-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mr Akin Olateru, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Mansur Matazu and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu are to run the remaining course of their tenures in line with the Acts setting up their respective Agencies, while the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, Captain Alkali Modibo has been granted a one-year extension, also in line with the Act setting up the College.
In order to reposition the Agencies to perform their statutory duties, the Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, has also approved the appointment of some new Directors.
The appointments are:
FAAN:
- Managing Director – Mr Kabir Yusuf Mohammed –
- Human Resources and Admin. – Shehu D. Mohammed
- Commercial and Business Management – Olumuyiwa Femi-Pearse
- Corporate Services – Barr. Azubuike Okorie
- General Manager (Statistics) – Kingsley Uchechukwu Okunji
- General Manager (Special Duties) – Jemilu Abdulrahman
NCAA:
- Director General/CEO – Capt Musa S. Nuhu
- Director, Airworthiness Standards – Engr Gbolahan Abatan
- Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards – Engr. Godwin Balang
- Director, Operations – Capt. Ibrahim Danbazau
- Director, Air Transport Regulations – Mr Olaniyi Saraku
- Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection – Capt. Chris Najomo
- Director, Aviation Security – Air Cdr Hambali Tukur
- Director, Corporate Services – R. M. Daku (Mrs)
- Company Secretary/Legal Adviser – Mrs Mary Tufano
- General Manager (Audit) – Mrs Dawa Gyaks
- General Manager (Accounts) – Mr Aminu Tasi’u
NSIB
- Director General/CEO – Engr Akin Olateru
- Director, Finance and Accounts – Mr Ori Bassey
- Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection – Dr James A. Odaudu
- Director, Corporate Services – Oliobi Godfrey Ikemefuna
- Transport Investigation – Capt Tosin Odulaja
- Company Secretary/Legal Adviser – Barr. Illitrus Ahmadu
NIMET:
- Director General/CEO – Prof Mansur Bako Matazu
- Human Resources and Admin. – Saleh Tukur Yusuf
- Director , Weather Forecasting Services – Daniel Okafor Chibueze
- Public Affairs and Consumer Protection – Ahmed A. Sanusi
- Director, Research and Training, Prof Effiong Essien Oku
NAMA:
- Director General/CEO – Engr A. Tayib Odunowo
- Director, Operations – Matthew Lawrence Pwajok
- Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection – Khalid Emele
- Corporate Services – Mr Uchendu Chibuzo Oji
- General Manager, Public Affairs – Amaka Udeh Walker (Mrs)
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.
