Travel/Tourism
Nigerians Call for Revocation of Dana Air Operating Licence
By Dipo Olowookere
Some Nigerians have appealed to Federal Government to immediately revoke the operating licence of Dana Air.
This call followed the crash landing of Dana Air plane numbered 9J0363 flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt on Tuesday night at the Port Harcourt International Airport, when it skidded off the runway as a result of bad weather.
Yesterday’s unfortunate incident happened almost two weeks after a Dana Air aircraft’s door fell off on landing at the Abuja airport.
It also came nearly six years over 150 persons died when a plane belonging to Dana Air crashed in Lagos.
It was one of the most painful air crashes recorded in the history of Nigeria and many are still hurt by the unfortunate incident.
Some Nigerians, who reacted to the incident on Twitter, called on the aviation authorities to revoke the licence of the airline operator.
They claimed recent happenings in the company have created fears among passengers and would want government to promptly take a decisive action before another disaster happens in the nation’s aviation industry.
“Dana Air killed 153 passengers. One of the most painful air crashes recorded in this country but you all forgot that in a rush and still handed them back their licenses. Very sad. Dana is a disaster waiting to happen. Avoid it,” an OAP with Cool FM Lagos, Dotun, posted on his Twitter page on Wednesday.
Popular OAP, Toke Makinwa, said, “Just heard about the Dana Air incident, I lost a good friend on the 3rd of June 2012 as a result of the last crash, we are not over it, it still hurts. Let’s not cause more grief to other families, fix up or bow out.”
Also, a famous TV host and co-anchor of MTN Project Fame, Bola Olukanmi, wrote on her Twitter page on Wednesday that, “The Dana Air ‘accident’ that happened this yesterday is appalling. Earlier this year an emergency door fell off their plane. Dana needs to be shut down. #DanaAir.”
Another Twitter identified as Dr Olufunmilayo said, “This Dana Air matter is an issue of utmost importance. Had a plane on air with faulty doors few weeks back, And now overshoots on the runway. Is it until another actual disaster happens with loss of lives before heads roll and something is done? Do we value human life at all?”
“Dana Air needs to be suspended until they get new planes. I dont care if its bad weather,” a Nigerian said.
For Nejeeb Bello, “Dana Air is building up to another very major and very disastrous air crash. If nothing is done about their recklessness, they will make us all weep again very soon.”
Another said, “I really don’t know why Dana Air is still operating. First it was Dana Airplane exit door. Now the airplane missed the runway and crashed into a bush. The minister of transportation should stop collecting bribes from these people and sanction them before they cause further havoc.”
“This Dana air thing should be barred out rightly from operating in Nigeria. Should be tracked at all times should Incase they want to rebrand and start up operations again with a different name and logo.”
“I think it’s high time Dana Air should be stopped from operating in our airspace till their plans are overhauled for safer flight locally and abroad,” two other Twitter users 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.
