Travel News

BY Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

The Federal Government has announced a shift in its aviation strategy, declaring that it will now be paying attention to policies that can strengthen local airlines against the widespread calls for a national carrier.

This announcement was made in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the launch of a book authored by veteran aviation journalist, Wole Shadare, titled “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects.”

Keyamo emphasised that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is focused on creating a more supportive environment for domestic carriers.

He said, “Recent policy reforms, including revised insurance regulations for leased aircraft, have made aircraft acquisition easier and are expected to help bring down airfares across the country.

“Our focus has shifted,” Keyamo stated. “We are now committed to promoting the growth of local operators through targeted policies.”

He also noted efforts to train and retrain air traffic personnel, address revenue leakages, and enhance efficiency within the aviation sector.

In another significant move, the minister revealed that nearly all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria now comply with the government’s directive to use local catering services for in-flight meals.

Additionally, he announced plans to construct a smart airport, pending presidential approval. Keyamo criticised the deteriorating condition of the old terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, saying it has remained unchanged since 1997. He stressed the urgent need for a complete rebuild.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted the sector’s growth. She reported that Nigeria currently boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.

While saying the aviation industry contributes about $1.7bn to Nigeria’s GDP, the FAAN MD acknowledged existing challenges such as outdated infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and financing gaps, but urged investors to view these as opportunities for development.

She said, “Nevertheless, this journey has not been devoid of turbulence. Upon Nigeria’s attainment of independence in 1960, we were faced with a pivotal question: How could we convert colonial-era infrastructure into a sovereign aviation powerhouse? Our national carrier, Nigeria Airways, emerged as a response, yet it soon faced challenges stemming from mismanagement and operational inefficiencies. By the early 2000s, we found ourselves at a crossroads—adapt or risk obsolescence.

“This juncture precipitated a remarkable transformation. The private sector took the initiative, introducing fresh capital, contemporary management practices, and a competitive spirit. Companies such as Air Peace and Arik Air did not merely fill the void—they revolutionised our aviation landscape. The current figures sum up this transformation: 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports nationwide, over 2,100 licensed pilots, a workforce comprising thousands, ranging from engineers to air traffic controllers.

“Nigeria has emerged as a testament to the efficacy of market-driven solutions. Our aviation sector now contributes approximately $1.7 billion to our GDP. Private airlines are connecting our cities with unprecedented efficiency, and international carriers increasingly regard Nigeria as a critical market. Last year, over 16 million passengers traversed our domestic terminals, while international passenger numbers exceeded 3.5 million. These figures are indeed impressive, yet there remains substantial potential for growth.”

The author of the commemorative book, Shadare, described it as a detailed 25-chapter chronicle that captures the history, challenges, and future potential of Nigeria’s aviation sector over the past century. He said the book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and industry researchers alike.

Nigeria and Venezuela have agreed to launch direct Abuja-Caracas flights celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties

Nigeria and Venezuela have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic cooperation as they both reached agreement to launch a direct Abuja-Caracas flights to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties.

A key highlight of the discussions was the announcement of plans by the Venezuelan government to establish direct flights between Caracas and Abuja, aimed at boosting business, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Padilla revealed that in 2022, both nations signed an agreement for direct flights from Caracas to Nigeria, and Venezuela is now prepared to operationalise this arrangement.

“We held a bilateral joint commission with Nigeria, and we seek to renew our relationship, particularly in the aviation industry,” Padilla stated.

“Our government has been working diligently, and we are ready to commence direct flights to either Abuja or Lagos. As we celebrate sixty years of diplomatic relations, this initiative is a fitting milestone and this is the best time start operations,” he added.

The ambassador confirmed that Venezuela’s national carrier, CONVIASA, is fully prepared to commence operations pending approval from the Nigerian government.

He said: “We have completed all necessary preparations on our end and are eager to receive Nigeria’s consent. This will significantly enhance connectivity and foster stronger ties between our nations.”

In response, the Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, expressed optimism about the proposed direct flight service, noting its potential to ease travel between Africa and South America.

Keyamo in a statement by his Personnel Assistant on Media/Research, EmamehGabriel, announced the formation of a joint committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to expedite the approval process.

“We are pleased that Venezuela has designated an airline ready for operations, as this is often a critical factor in Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA).

“This development is mutually beneficial, as it will reduce travel time and eliminate the current inconvenience of transiting through distant hubs like Dubai or Doha for South American routes,” Keyamo remarked.

The Minister noted that as Nigeria and Venezuela commemorate this milestone, their commitment to enhanced aviation and sectoral cooperation underscores a joint vision for greater connectivity and prosperity.

Both nations expressed confidence that the direct flights will spur expanded economic and cultural ties in the coming years.

Currently, a direct flight from Nigeria to Venezuela takes approximately seven hours, compared to the lengthy layovers travelers endure via alternative routes.

The new connection is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and diplomatic engagements, further cementing the six-decade-old relationship between both nations.

Kasim Sumaina

By Hamisu Kabir Matazu

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the completion of pilgrims airlift operations by three of its designated carriers, Air Peace, UMZA Aviation and Max Air.

Fatima Sanda Usara, the Assistant Director of Information and Publications of the commission, made the announcement in a statement.

Usara said the three airlines have fulfilled their assigned responsibilities in transporting Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise.

BY Damilola Aina

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and Uganda Airlines, has officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor—a transformative export initiative under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

Speaking at the landmark event held on Africa Day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole, announced that the new air corridor will provide Nigerian exporters with access to three key African hubs—Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa—with air cargo rates discounted between 50-75 per cent reduction in logistics cost (including regulatory charges).

This initiative marks Nigeria’s key campaign promise by President Bola Tinubu to accelerate the diversification of Nigeria’s non-oil exports by leveraging the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

Specifically designed to empower Nigerian enterprises, particularly MSMEs, this initiative enables them to expand into African markets with greater confidence, lower costs, faster delivery timelines, and reduced risk.

The preferential cargo rates will apply to businesses affiliated with leading national business associations, including Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Entrepreneur, Nigerian Association Of Small Scale Industralists, and Women Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines & Agriculture, ensuring inclusive participation and coordinated implementation.

This milestone follows Tinubu’s approval and the formal gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions in April 2025.

With support from the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, the Ministry has worked to position Nigeria not just as a participant in AfCFTA, but as a leader in shaping and advancing the agreement’s implementation.

Operating from Lagos and Abuja, the corridor is backed by strong government collaboration.

In her remarks, the trade minister expressed appreciation to the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Aviation, as well as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the MD/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, for facilitating and being instrumental to its successful launch.

The inaugural cargo shipment featured a diverse basket of Made-in-Nigeria products, including textiles, cosmetics, fashion accessories, and agro-processed goods, marking the beginning of a new era for Nigerian exports into African markets.

Notably, all exporters on this historic flight were women-owned businesses. These female entrepreneurs were recognized as pioneers, leading the charge in positioning Nigerian enterprises at the forefront of intra-African trade.

“AfCFTA tariffs are now gazetted, enabling Nigerian goods to benefit from lower tariffs across African markets. As we mark Africa Day, I want to especially commend and thank the indefatigable Nigerian businesses participating in this inaugural flight. Today, they are exporting a diverse product basket, textiles, bags, cosmetics, agro-processed products, and more, to our African partners.

“This Administration will continue to stand with you as you take even bigger and bolder leaps to expand Nigeria’s footprint across the continent. The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Nigerian businesses in scaling their exports across the continent,” she stated.

BY Damilola Aina

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and Uganda Airlines, has officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor—a transformative export initiative under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

Speaking at the landmark event held on Africa Day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole, announced that the new air corridor will provide Nigerian exporters with access to three key African hubs—Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa—with air cargo rates discounted between 50-75 per cent reduction in logistics cost (including regulatory charges).

This initiative marks Nigeria’s key campaign promise by President Bola Tinubu to accelerate the diversification of Nigeria’s non-oil exports by leveraging the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

Specifically designed to empower Nigerian enterprises, particularly MSMEs, this initiative enables them to expand into African markets with greater confidence, lower costs, faster delivery timelines, and reduced risk.

The preferential cargo rates will apply to businesses affiliated with leading national business associations, including Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Entrepreneur, Nigerian Association Of Small Scale Industralists, and Women Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines & Agriculture, ensuring inclusive participation and coordinated implementation.

This milestone follows Tinubu’s approval and the formal gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions in April 2025.

With support from the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, the Ministry has worked to position Nigeria not just as a participant in AfCFTA, but as a leader in shaping and advancing the agreement’s implementation.

Operating from Lagos and Abuja, the corridor is backed by strong government collaboration.

In her remarks, the trade minister expressed appreciation to the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Aviation, as well as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the MD/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, for facilitating and being instrumental to its successful launch.

The inaugural cargo shipment featured a diverse basket of Made-in-Nigeria products, including textiles, cosmetics, fashion accessories, and agro-processed goods, marking the beginning of a new era for Nigerian exports into African markets.

Notably, all exporters on this historic flight were women-owned businesses. These female entrepreneurs were recognized as pioneers, leading the charge in positioning Nigerian enterprises at the forefront of intra-African trade.

“AfCFTA tariffs are now gazetted, enabling Nigerian goods to benefit from lower tariffs across African markets. As we mark Africa Day, I want to especially commend and thank the indefatigable Nigerian businesses participating in this inaugural flight. Today, they are exporting a diverse product basket, textiles, bags, cosmetics, agro-processed products, and more, to our African partners.

“This Administration will continue to stand with you as you take even bigger and bolder leaps to expand Nigeria’s footprint across the continent. The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Nigerian businesses in scaling their exports across the continent,” she stated.

… investors will receive settlement rights and visa-free travel to 172 countries

…adjudged to become the second-most valuable citizenship program on the market.

Nigerians can obtain Argentine citizenship with an investment of $500,000 that will be channeled in key sectors, likely to be agribusiness, energy, technology, and tourism.

Obtaining the citizenship will provide settlement rights for investors from any nationality, who will obtain visa-free travel to 172 destinations including Schengen countries; more than any Caribbean citizenship-by-investment (CBI) country.

The Argentine government introduced this with the goal of promoting  economic development and job creation focusing on long-term contributions to the country’s economy, rather than relying solely on passive investments like real estate or donations.

It is part of Javier Milei’s, Argentina’s president’s wider economic reform efforts aimed at attracting high-net-worth individuals.

This is the first time that citizenship in Argentina will be directly linked to foreign investment.

As reported by Investment Migration Insider (IMI), “No South American country has had a citizenship by investment program since Peru’s short-lived $25,000 CIP in the early 1990s”.

“A CIP programme, would be a huge achievement for the market….the country could likely raise more than $2 billion a year through a donation-based CIP”.

“It would instantly become the second-most valuable citizenship on the market, creating a tier of its own. This is because Argentine citizenship is less valuable than Malta’s, which provides settlement rights in 30 European countries, but more valuable than that of Turkey (which doesn’t have Schengen-travel) and Caribbean (which has Schengen travel but limited settlement rights)”.

According to government sources, the ministry of economy will establish a special agency to assess and certify eligible investments. This new body will work closely with the ministry of the interior, the foreign ministry, and the national directorate of migration to make the application process as smooth as possible.

The programme is said to take inspiration from the United States’ SelectUSA model.

The citizenship-by-investment scheme is part of a broader immigration reform package expected to be released later this week as an emergency decree. The proposal is currently under review by the legal and technical secretariat, and the government plans to issue the changes in two separate decrees to prevent legal challenges.

Industry insiders have noted that discussions are already taking place between a well-known citizenship-by-investment firm and a consortium of major industry players.

With no similar programme in South America since Peru’s short-lived initiative in the early 1990s, this new policy could attract around 2,000 applications per year and generate an estimated US$2.5 billion in revenue.

More details regarding due diligence, timelines, and naturalisation procedures are expected to be provided in the coming weeks after the programme is formally enacted.

Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) is doubling down on cryptocurrency, unveiling plans Tuesday to create what it claims will be one of the largest bitcoin treasuries held by any public company.

The initiative is backed by a $2.5 billion private funding round, with commitments from roughly 50 institutional investors, according to a company press release. The deal includes $1.5 billion in Trump Media common stock and $1 billion in convertible senior secured notes, set to close on or around May 29.

Once finalized, the move will place bitcoin directly on Trump Media's balance sheet, alongside existing cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $759 million as of the end of Q1 2025.

Shares of Trump Media, which are majority owned by President Trump, fell over 7% in early trading following the announcement. Bitcoin (BTC-USD), meanwhile, is hovering near record highs, trading around $110,000 per coin.

At least 150 people killed, thousands displaced and buildings destroyed after heavy rains in north of country

Significant flooding affected Nigeria last week, with more than 150 deaths reported so far. Heavy rain struck the north of the country on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday, leading to flooding along the Niger River, displacing thousands and destroying hundreds of homes. The district head said it was the region’s worst flood in 60 years.

Heavy rain is not unusual at this time of year in Nigeria. The country has a tropical climate and is influenced by the west African monsoon, with the wet season running from April until October. This type of seasonality is linked to land-sea temperature differences, alongside the shifting intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a band of low pressure roughly around the equator that shifts north and south with the angle of the sun.

From March to September, the sun favours the northern hemisphere, meaning there is greater incoming solar radiation here during this time. As land heats up faster than water, this creates surface low pressure over west Africa as air ascends over the region, which then allows moister air to move in from the Atlantic to later fall out as rain.

Additionally, the ITCZ moves northwards during the northern hemisphere summer, meaning this region of low pressure is now situated over north Africa, allowing for more precipitation there. In contrast, during the northern hemisphere winter, the ITCZ shifts southwards, leading to drier conditions in west Africa under higher pressure.

This week, Niger and Nigeria will continue to experience rainfall but also below-average temperatures. These will fall about 10C below normal early this week, with daytime maximums in the mid to high 20s compared with a climate average of mid- to high 30s Celsius.

Northern Africa also had some extreme weather, with a severe summer storm hitting Alexandria in Egypt on Saturday. The city was battered by heavy rain, strong winds and hail, which flooded the streets and caused power outages.

BY James Hockaday

Volcanic activity measured in Sicily last night has picked up momentum, sending holidaymakers running for their lives.

Mount Etna in Sicily erupted on Monday morning, sending people running for their lives as a huge cloud of ash rose overhead.

Footage shared on social media shows people fleeing to safety after Europe's highest active volcano started erupting.

In a statement, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said that volcanic activity flagged in a previous statement issued at 4.14am local time has "carried on with Strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous".

"Over the past few hours, the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged in the Piano Vetore area," the institute added.

It said its forecast model expected the erupting ash cloud to scatter in a south-west direction. The institute warned that the "values of the magnitude of the tremor are currently elevated with a tendency to increase further".

Thermal imaging of Mount Etna, shared by the institute this morning, shows "hot pyroclastic material" – meaning a fast-moving current of rock fragments, gas, and ash – flowing down the volcano.

In a statement shared at 11.55am local time, the INGV said the volcanic flow did "not appear to have crossed the edge" of the Valley of the Lion, surrounding the volcano.

The sunny spring is set to give way to a warm summer in the coming months, but that brings increased risk of heatwaves and drought.

Connor Parker

The UK is twice as likely as usual to have a hot summer this year, the Met Office has forecast, as the driest spring in decades prompted warnings of heatwaves and droughts.

The Met Office's three-month outlook predicts that the chance of a hot summer is higher than normal, bringing an increased risk of heatwaves and heat-related impacts.

The outlook shows it is 2.3 times more likely than normal that the UK will be hot over meteorological summer, which runs from 1 June to 31 August.

The UK has enjoyed the sunniest spring on record, with some 630 hours of sunshine clocked up across the country between 1 March and 27 May, in what has also been the driest spring for more than a century.

Temperatures soared to 8C above the average for the time of year on Saturday 31 May – the last day of meteorological spring – ahead of a potentially hot summer season.

However the sunny weather has come at a cost, with reservoirs across the country at lower levels than usual.

The north of England has been hit the hardest, with a drought declared on 21 May in the North West.

How hot is a 'heatwave'?

Different groups have different definitions of a heatwave, but in the UK, most follow the Met Office's interpretation.

The Met Office defines a heatwave as “an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity”.

In the UK, the Met Office declares a heatwave when the daily temperature of a certain location meets or exceeds one of four temperature thresholds for a minimum of three days.

The lowest, covering Wales and Scotland, is 25C, and the highest, covering London, is 28C.

The longest official heatwave in the UK was in 1976, when a heatwave was declared during 15 consecutive days of hot weather.

The last official heatwave in the UK was in the summer of 2022 when there were three heatwaves declared in July and August.

Why is this summer going to be hotter than normal?

In a post alongside their three-month forecast, the Met Office said: “While the current three-month outlook shows an increased chance of a hot summer, the temperature signals for this summer are similar to those for recent years and consistent with our warming climate.

“The increased chance of hotter than average temperatures is not a guarantee of prolonged hot weather or heatwaves, but it does mean that heatwave conditions could be reached at times.

“However, it’s important to bear in mind that an increased chance of hot conditions could also reflect a mix of hot and cool days, warm nights, or less extreme levels of warmth rather than continual heatwave conditions specifically.”

The summers of 2018 and 2021-2023 were also predicted to be hot, with data showing it has been a decade since the last time a summer was predicted to be cool, in 2015.

The latest outlook also shows the levels of rainfall and wind speed for the next three months will likely be near average.