MARCH 06, 2026

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has insisted that the cashless payment policy at Nigerian airports will remain in place, despite the confusion and complaints that trailed its recent rollout.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday at the airport, the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said the directive remains a key government policy but assured passengers that steps are being taken to improve its implementation following concerns raised by travellers and airport users.

She explained that the decision followed guidance from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development after deliberations at the Federal Executive Council.

Recall that media reports stated that the controversial cashless policy, which led to chaos at the airport, particularly at the aerodrome gate, was reportedly suspended on Wednesday.

According to Kuku, the council did not order the suspension of the policy but directed that the process be improved to make it more efficient for airport users.

“You heard the minister yesterday following the Federal Executive Council meeting where Mr. President has asked us not necessarily to suspend but to make sure that the process itself is improved before it gets rolled out,” Kuku stated.

The authority described the directive as a major boost for both the agency and the aviation ministry, stressing that the policy was not a sudden decision but one that had been in the works for several months.

FAAN further explained that preparations for the policy began last year with extensive awareness campaigns aimed at educating airport users about the transition from cash to electronic payments.

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The FAAN boss stated, “I consider this to be a major win for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria as well as the Ministry of Aviation.

“So if you recall, we actually started the cashless policy last year. We started a lot of enlightenment; even the National Orientation Agency, you can check their Instagram and their social media handles, had publicised it as far back as October of last year.”

The authority said the implementation followed a directive of the Federal Government approved at the Federal Executive Council, adding that the agency had earlier proposed a gradual approach.

“We were asked to implement a Federal Government directive, which was done at the Federal Executive Council. This was what we were pushing towards, but unfortunately, we were given a deadline.”

According to FAAN, the agency had initially suggested a hybrid arrangement that would allow both electronic and cash payments to run simultaneously during the transition period. “We had actually asked for a hybrid approach that allows us to do both cashless and automated.”

While reaffirming its commitment to the policy, FAAN expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for what it described as a pragmatic approach to governance.

“So, for me and the agency, we actually thank Mr President for this laudable initiative. The fact that the President is not just taking Federal Government initiatives or policy rollouts, but understanding the nature of every environment,” the FAAN boss stated.

MARCH 10, 2026

By Saheed Oyelakin

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned of a possible terrorist threat targeting US facilities and US-affiliated schools in the country.

In a security notice issued via its website on Monday, the embassy said the alert was intended to inform American citizens in Nigeria of potential risks and advised them to take additional precautions when visiting U.S. diplomatic missions and affiliated institutions.

The notice asked US citizens to exercise increased vigilance when travelling to its offices in Abuja and Lagos, as well as schools affiliated with the United States.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. facilities and U.S.-affiliated schools in Nigeria.

“The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens take additional precautions when travelling to the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, and U.S.-affiliated schools, to include varying times and routes,” the statement read.

The embassy advised American nationals to vary their travel times and routes, avoid predictable routines, and ensure their mobile phones are charged in case of emergencies.

“Be aware of your surroundings, keep a low profile, review your personal security plans, vary your regular routes, keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency, stay alert in public places, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and familiarise yourself with emergency exits when entering buildings,” it said.

The embassy did not spell out the source of the threat.

The warning in Nigeria also comes amid a global security warning by the United States after Washington and Israel attacked Iran, which has responded with missile and drone attacks against its U.S.-aligned neighbours.

It also follows protests in Lagos and some northern states by members of the leadership of the Islamic Movement, who denounced the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes by the United States and Israel.

The development comes as Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader, reportedly died from injuries sustained during recent United States and Israeli strikes at her residence in Tehran.

Recall that President Donald Trump on Christmas Day ordered US bombings of Nigeria, saying he was targeting jihadists.

MARCH 18, 2026

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

Panic and confusion gripped passengers at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday night after a damaged electric cable triggered a sudden blackout, plunging parts of the terminal into darkness.

The outage, which occurred during peak travel hours, disrupted passenger check-in processes and left many stranded as airline staff and airport officials scrambled to manage the unfolding situation.

A source who refused to give his name for personal reasons said, “There was confusion everywhere. People didn’t know what was happening, and the lines just stopped moving.”

As of 9:00 pm, officials were still struggling to restore normalcy, with technical teams working urgently to resolve the fault and prevent further disruption.

Another source at the airport revealed that the incident may have been caused by a Chinese company carrying out maintenance work at Terminal 2, which allegedly damaged the critical power cable by mistake.

The latest incident adds to a growing list of power-related challenges at the airport, which has experienced intermittent outages over the years. In 2024, a similar blackout caused significant delays and disrupted flight schedules, leaving passengers frustrated.

More recently, in February 2026, the Terminal 1 wing of the airport suffered another power outage shortly before a fire incident impacted part of the facility. The airport has also experienced several other power disruptions on different occasions.

At that time, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria attributed the disruption to a fault during a power changeover process. According to the body, the interruption occurred after an issue arose during a power changeover operation. The agency said its technical teams were immediately deployed to manage the situation.

FAAN explained that its engineers worked swiftly to bridge the gap and transfer electricity supply to a secondary grid while activating interim backup systems to restore services as quickly as possible.

FAAN stated, “We acknowledge the power outage at MMIA Terminal 1 yesterday (the weekend).” The interruption was caused by an issue with the changeover circuit. We apologise to all passengers and stakeholders affected by the disruption and any discomfort it caused.”

Meanwhile, around 9:49 pm, FAAN spokesperson Henry Agbebire confirmed to our correspondent that power had been restored to the aerodrome.

He said, “About 30 minutes ago, power was now restored. The power outage affected the carousel, and that was what led to the delay in baggage coming out. But as I speak now, light has been restored.

“This confirmation is from the airport manager, who confirmed that there was a power outage which affected the carousel as I speak with you now.”

MARCH 19, 2026

BY Becky MortonPolitical reporter

The government has agreed a deal with Nigeria to make it easier to remove people with no right to be in the UK.

For the first time, the Nigerian government will recognise UK letters - an identification document issued to individuals without a valid passport - so people will no longer have to wait for emergency travel documents to be issued before they can be returned.

The agreement was struck during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu state visit to the UK.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the president's visit - the first by a leader of a west African nation in 37 years - as "historic".

On Wednesday, the King hosted a spectacular state banquet at Windsor Castle for the president and first lady, praising the strength of the ties between the two nations.

President Tinubu also met the prime minister at No 10.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the two leaders "committed to deepening their long-term partnership on trade, infrastructure and sustainable growth".

They also agreed to work more closely together on defence and security in response to transnational crime and terrorism, the spokesperson said.

The Home Office said the immigration deal would make it easier to return people who overstay their visas, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers.

It said annual returns to Nigeria had nearly doubled to 1,150.

The two countries have also agreed to launch joint operations and share information to crack down on criminal gangs abusing visa routes.

A new standardised document-checking system will be introduced to verify the authenticity of applications.

The Home Office said it followed a series of high-profile cases involving fake job sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial or employment records.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will review its laws to ensure the toughest possible sentences are given to immigration offenders.

Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said: "Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UK's largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here."

A separate deal, worth £746m, will see two major ports in Lagos refurbished with the help of UK-backed loans.

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government's export credit agency, has provided a guarantee to the banks loaning the funds under the condition at least 20% of the contracts are sourced from the UK.

At least £236m of supplier contracts will be directed to British firms, including £70m for British steel - the company's largest ever export backed by UKEF.

It comes as the UK sets out a new strategy to boost the domestic steel industry.

Tinubu's visit was also the first to the UK by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in almost a century.

Special adaptations were made to the state banquet, with a prayer room set aside in Windsor Castle, while the usual lunch hosted by the King did not take place as Tinubu was fasting.

On Thursday, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who is Christian, also visited Lambeth Palace, the London home of the archbishop of Canterbury.

The visit comes at a time of tension within Nigeria, with a series of suspected suicide bombings this week in the north-eastern state of Borno, in which at least 23 people were killed and 108 injured in attacks blamed on hard-line Islamist militants from the Boko Haram group.

MARCH 23, 2026

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

There are indications that airfares may jump in the coming weeks following the hike in the cost of aviation fuel, commonly referred to as Jet A1, a development that is already putting pressure on airline operations and signalling higher ticket costs for passengers.

The spike in JetA1 price is largely due to the crisis in the Middle East, which has slowed the production and movement of crude oil across countries, worsening the operational cost of domestic carriers.

Checks by our correspondent with airlines showed an astronomical increase in the operating cost of airlines, particularly caused by the spike in aviation fuel, which has become the dominant cost driver in recent weeks.

At the time of filing this report, aviation fuel, which was sold between N900 and N995 before the Middle East crisis commenced, has jumped to between N2,500 and N2,700, depending on the airport of delivery, sharply raising the cost burden for operators.

Operators said they were monitoring developments, stressing that an increase in airfares was imminent, with strong indications that the prices of air tickets might double if the current trend persists.

Aviation fuel remains the single highest component of airline operations, accounting for about 30 to 35 per cent of total operational costs, a figure that industry players say is rising rapidly under current market conditions.

Airline sources said the price of the product had remained unstable since February 28, 2026, when the war started in Iran, changing about five times since that time, further complicating planning and pricing decisions.

The spokesperson for United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, challenged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to urgently engage domestic airline operators over the sustainability of current ticket pricing amid rising operational costs.

The FCCPC recently accused airlines of price fixing, with special attention on five unnamed airlines. This was, however, dismissed by the airline operators.

Uloka noted that despite aviation fuel prices soaring beyond N2,000 per litre, many carriers had continued to maintain fares at around N195,000, raising concerns about how long such pricing could be sustained under prevailing economic conditions.

He, however, warned that the situation could deteriorate further if fuel prices get to N3,000 per litre, stressing that not all airlines would be able to remain in operation under such pressure, a development that could further shrink capacity and push fares even higher.

He said, “Honestly, this is a very good time for FCCPC to come out and ask operators how they have been able to sustain flight tickets at N195,000 despite the increase in aviation fuel crossing N2000 and above. They should please ask how operators have kept on with operations? These are hard times. But most definitely, the current prices can’t be sustained for long periods.

“If this continues the way it is, because the way we are now, the price is also getting to N3000 per litre, and if it eventually gets to N3000, not all operators will be able to fly. And the ones that will be able to fly will not be Father Christmas. What we are asking now is not even profit, but at least to be able to operate optimally. Aviation has become a daily necessity because people must be able to move from one place to another. But FCCPC must be able to come out now and ask operators how we are faring.”

The PUNCH understands that Nigeria has been unable to produce enough crude oil for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, forcing the indigenous refining company to import crude.

Crude prices have jumped from $65–$69 to about $112 per barrel as of the time of filing this report, further worsening the cost of aviation fuel and pushing airlines closer to inevitable fare adjustments.

This effect has also upped gantry prices, with operators warning that sustained increases will ultimately be transferred to passengers through higher ticket fares.

Industry expert, Samuel Caulcrick, projected an imminent rise in airfares, attributing it to the growing burden of operational costs on airlines, which is increasingly being driven by the surge in aviation fuel prices.

He explained that current market conditions suggest that operating expenses have surged significantly, with aviation fuel now accounting for about 45 per cent of total airline costs, making it the single largest cost component in the sector and leaving operators with little choice but to adjust fares.

Caulcrick noted that the shift in cost structure marks a departure from previous years when maintenance expenses dominated airline spending. However, the persistent increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel has altered the dynamics, placing greater financial pressure on operators and inevitably influencing ticket pricing across the industry.

He stated, “Before now, the highest component of airline operation was maintenance, but that has changed with the continuous rise in the prices of Jet A1. In those days when aviation fuel was less costly, the maintenance cost was higher, but now fueling has taken over.

“If that component goes up, it will definitely affect the prices of every seat. But we should expect the airfares to go up by 20 to 25 per cent in the coming days.”

MARCH 26, 2026

Some US airports may have to shut as travellers endure long wait times at security following a shutdown that's seen 50,000 staff go unpaid.

The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it was a "dire situation".

Ha Nguyen McNeill said nearly 500 TSA employees - who screen passengers and luggage - had quit so far after not receiving pay since mid-February.

She said multiple major airports were seeing 40% to 50% call-out rates (a measure of absence), compared with an average of 4% normally, because staff "simply cannot afford to report to work".

"This has led to the highest wait times in TSA history, with some wait times greater than 4.5 hours," she added.

A resolution does not appear imminent, as Democrats and Republicans still cannot agree on a deal on funding the Department of Homeland Security, the body that encompasses the TSA.

ICE agents are at some airports, including New York's JFK. Pic: APICE agents are at some airports, including New York's JFK. Pic: AP© Associated Press

Democrats want changes to immigration and deportation operations after the controversial killings of two people in Minneapolis earlier this year by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

ICE agents have been sent to some airports by the Trump administration for what Ms McNeill called "non-specialised screening functions", but opponents say the move is inflammatory.

'Staff are sleeping in their cars'

In the meantime, many TSA workers are being pushed to the brink and are resorting to desperate measures.

"Some [staff] are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the travelling public," Ms McNeill told the House Homeland Security Committee.

Ha Nguyen McNeill testified at the homeland security committee on Wednesday. Pic: ReutersHa Nguyen McNeill testified at the homeland security committee on Wednesday. Pic: Reuters© Reuters

She said assaults had also increased by 500% since the shutdown began in mid-February, as some passengers take out their frustrations on staff.

The boss of Houston airport warned security waits of up to four hours could get longer if a deal isn't done soon.

In a video on the airport's website, Jim Szczesniak said employees working in areas such as IT, finance and maintenance had been redeployed to try to manage the lines. However, he warned it wasn't sustainable.

New York LaGuardia was another airport seeing long lines on Wednesday afternoon, with people queuing virtually the entire length of Terminal B.

The TSA boss also agreed during her committee appearance that there could be problems when fans arrive for the World Cup in June.

Ms McNeill said it took four to six months to train new staff and added that job applications had dried up significantly, raising questions about replacing those who have quit.

Meanwhile, the White House has rejected Elon Musk's offer to pay TSA wages during the shutdown, according to CBS News.

The world's richest person made the offer on X at the weekend.

MARCH 29, 2026

By Samuel Omotere

United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed that one of its aircraft was damaged in a ground incident at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following a jet blast from a nearby aircraft.

The airline disclosed this in a travel advisory issued on Sunday, stating that the incident involved one of its operating aircraft parked at the airport’s domestic terminal.

According to the statement, the aircraft, an Embraer 190, had arrived from Akanu Ibiam International Airport on Flight UN0503 and was preparing for another scheduled trip when the incident occurred.

“United Nigeria Airlines wishes to inform its valued passengers and the general public of a ground incident involving one of its operating aircraft at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MM2), Lagos,” the statement read.

The airline explained that the aircraft was parked in an open bay between two other planes when multiple ground movements took place simultaneously.

“While preparations were ongoing to board passengers for another scheduled flight, a nearby aircraft, having completed its own boarding process, commenced taxiing. At the same time, another aircraft was executing a pushback onto the taxi line,” it stated.

The airline noted that the combined movements led to a powerful jet blast within the ramp area.

“During these simultaneous ground movements, the taxiing aircraft manoeuvred in a manner that generated significant jet blast within the ramp area,” the statement added.

It said the force of the jet blast displaced ground equipment, which then struck the aircraft.

“The force of the jet blast displaced a baggage trolley belonging to a ground handling company, which subsequently made contact with the United Nigeria Airlines aircraft,” it said.

The affected aircraft was scheduled to operate Flight UN0500 at noon.

Providing details of the damage, the airline said critical external components of the aircraft were impacted.

“The impact resulted in damage to external components, including the antenna and the forward fuselage area near the nose landing gear,” the statement noted.

Following the incident, the airline said it had taken immediate safety measures by grounding the aircraft for further checks.

“In adherence to our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive inspection before returning to operations,” it stated.

The airline reassured passengers of its commitment to safety and operational standards, while acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the disruption.

“United Nigeria Airlines remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to your travel plans,” the statement added.

It further assured affected passengers that efforts were ongoing to minimise disruption and provide necessary support.

MARCH 30, 2026

BY  Chris EwokorBBC Africa, Reporting fromAbuja

A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in parts of the central Nigerian city of Jos, after gunmen opened fire at an open-air bar, leading to deadly revenge attacks, local reports say.

The police have confirmed that 26 people were killed. It is not clear how many died in the initial attack and how many during the retaliation.

Announcing the curfew, Plateau state governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang said an investigation had been opened and those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.

The state has long been considered one of the most volatile parts of Nigeria.

Paul Mancha, chairperson of the youth council in Plateau state, suggested that the true number of casualties could be even higher.

"People were here in the evening and unfortunately, wicked terrorists came and attacked our people,'' he told Reuters news agency. "We have counted scores of people who are now dead and then so many others are also in the hospital receiving treatment."

In a statement announcing the curfew, the Plateau state governor condemned the killings as "barbaric and unprovoked," and said security agencies had been directed to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

Local residents said threats had been posted on social media before the attack.

The curfew, which began at midnight local time, is due to remain in force until 1 April. Residents have been ordered to stay indoors as security personnel intensify patrols and maintain a visible presence across the affected areas.

Security forces were deployed swiftly after the shooting, with troops and other personnel moving to secure the area and restore calm.

Plateau state lies in central Nigeria, where there is often violence between different communities, especially mainly Muslim herders and largely Christian farmers over access to land and water points.

Nigeria faces multiple security challenges across different region - from an Islamist insurgency in the north-east to banditry and kidnappings in the north-west and central areas.

Security watchers say these overlapping pressures have stretched security resources and complicated response efforts.

Sunday's attack highlights the persistent fragility of local security arrangements and the ease with which violence can disrupt daily life.

While authorities insist the situation is under control, the imposition of a curfew underscores the seriousness of the threat and the urgency of preventing further escalation.

MARCH 30, 2026

The hellish long lines at major U.S. airports began to show signs of improvement Monday after weeks of travel chaos caused the government shutdown and security workers going without paychecks.

Most Transportation Security Administration officers started to receive pay for the first time in more than a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week as a “temporary fix” amid the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has now exceeded 40 days.

However, experts warned that the ordeal is not done, given that more than 500 agents have quit their jobs.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this TSA fiasco isn’t over just yet; it’s actually about to get worse,” former TSA officer Caleb Harmon-Marshall wrote on his travel Substack, Gate Access. “Travelers should remain cautious of long wait times at airports across the country for the next couple of weeks, as TSA officers are still financially strained due to extremely low paychecks.”

Aaron Barker, an Atlanta TSA officer and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 554, told CNN that he believed more agents would quit in the coming weeks due to multiple missed paychecks.

“I do think that there’s going to be a mass exodus of officers,” Barker told the network. “Officers have gone into debt. Credit has been shot. Officers have been evicted. Cars have been repossessed.”

Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the union’s TSA Council 100, said back pay “is not going to address systemic issues” and it would be difficult for agents to recover from the shutdown, which is the longest in the agency’s nearly 25-year history.

MARCH 31, 2026

 by Yusuf Babalola

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has expressed strong displeasure over the growing practice by foreign airlines to sell air tickets exclusively in United States dollars, describing the trend as disrespectful to Nigeria’s legal tender and harmful to the local travel industry.

Speaking with journalists, NANTA President, Yinka Folami, condemned the exclusion of the naira from international travel transactions, insisting that it violates the spirit of Nigeria’s monetary regulations and places undue burden on local travellers.

Folami noted that while Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) provide frameworks for international airline operations, they were never intended to justify the outright rejection of the naira in ticket sales.

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According to him, the insistence on dollar-denominated transactions has created significant barriers for Nigerian travellers, weakened the domestic financial system, and heightened tensions between global carriers and local stakeholders.

“It is disrespectful when you exclude the naira from transactions. What we are complaining about are those airlines that insist on selling tickets only in U.S. dollars. It is wrong,” he said.

He further lamented that the situation is compounded by tightening visa restrictions, rising airline debit memos, and declining cross-border trade, all of which are threatening the survival of travel agencies and allied businesses.

Folami also raised concerns over what he described as anti-competitive practices, misinterpretation of tax policies, and their adverse impact on NANTA members, warning that these challenges could erode confidence in Nigeria’s travel ecosystem.

Despite these concerns, the NANTA president stressed that the association is committed to restoring professionalism and improving the global perception of Nigeria’s travel industry.

“We are not fraudsters. We are stepping forward as unofficial diplomats of Nigeria. We will use our platform to correct negative narratives and restore confidence,” he said.

He disclosed that NANTA is strengthening internal structures by fully dissociating from illegal practices and elevating professional standards through the establishment of a registered training institute for travel professionals.

According to him, the move is aimed at promoting discipline, enhancing capacity, and ensuring that practitioners in the sector operate with global best practices.

“The best way to protect our members and the industry is to raise standards and enforce professionalism.

While we play our part, we call on the government to deploy effective regulations to protect our market, travellers, and small businesses,” Folami added.