JUNE 01, 2026

Nearly all Canadian universities lost ground in a global ranking of the top post-secondary schools, reflecting growing pressure from better-funded international competitors.

The rankings, released Monday by the Center for World University Rankings, show 37 of Canada’s 38 ranked universities fell compared to last year, while one maintained its position.

The University of Toronto remained Canada’s top-ranked institution at No. 23 globally, holding the same position as last year. McGill University slipped one place to No. 28, while the University of British Columbia dropped to No. 49 from No. 48.

The University of Alberta ranked 82nd globally, followed by the University of Montreal at 126th.

• READ MORE: Canada ranks 5th in education and research analysis

According to CWUR’s 2026 ranking, Canada’s top 10 schools also include:

6. Western University, No. 187 globally

7. McMaster University, No. 190

8. University of Calgary, No. 203

9. University of Waterloo, No. 216

10. University of Ottawa, No. 226

What is behind the decline?

“The decline of Canadian universities reflects years of inadequate funding, and the devaluation of science and education as public goods,” said Dr. Nadim Mahassen, president of the Center for World University Rankings.

“Canadian universities are struggling to deliver high-quality education, attract and retain talent, and produce quality research at scale.”

Mahassen said the issue goes beyond academia.

“This is not just an academic problem but a national one, because the erosion of Canada’s higher education system undermines scientific development, innovation, and the country’s long-term future.”

U.S. universities hold up top spots

The rankings evaluated more than 21,000 universities worldwide using measures that include education quality, employability, faculty achievements and research output.

Globally, American universities continued to dominate the top of the table. Harvard University held the No. 1 position for the 15th consecutive year, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.

Based on CWUR’s 2026 ranking, the global top five also includes University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, both from the United Kingdom, at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

China gains ground globally

Still, the broader global picture showed increased competition from China. Ninety-eight per cent of Chinese universities improved their positions this year, led by Tsinghua University at No. 36 globally. China now has 360 institutions in the Global 2000 list, the highest representation of any country.

“The results of this year’s rankings show that the United States boasts the top universities in the world,” Mahassen said.

“However, this dominance is increasingly contested further down the league table, as other universities, particularly from China, are catching up.”

Elsewhere, many institutions across Europe and Japan also declined amid funding pressures and intensified global competition.

The rankings are based on 81 million outcome-based data points and do not rely on surveys or university-submitted data, according to CWUR.

JUNE 09, 2026

By Justice Okamgba

Nigerians spent more than N50bn on United States visa applications between 2023 and 2024, despite a sharp decline in approvals as Washington tightened immigration controls and increased scrutiny of applicants.

An analysis of the Intelpoint report, using data from the US Department of State, shows that 201,200 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians between 2023 and 2024. At a standard application fee of $185 per applicant, Nigerians spent approximately $37.2m, equivalent to N50.7bn at an average exchange rate of N1,360 to the dollar.

Visa issuances declined by about 23 per cent, falling to 87,300 in 2024 from 113,900 in 2023, a reduction of 26,600 visas. The PUNCH could not obtain comparable figures for 2025 at the time of reporting.

Business and tourism travel dominated approvals in 2024, with B1/B2 visas accounting for 83 per cent of total issuances, while student visas (F1) represented about seven per cent. Exchange visitor visas (J1) and other temporary categories made up the remainder.

Africa’s most populous nation remained a significant source market for the United States, accounting for about 0.8 per cent of global non-immigrant visa issuances in 2024, the data showed.

Former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, said Nigerians’ travel behaviour is driven by more than economic conditions, noting a strong cultural inclination toward mobility.

“People would say it’s because of the economy, but I share a different view. Nigerians are generally migrants; they love travelling.

We are like the Chinese of Africa,” Akporiaye told The PUNCH.

The executive argued that most Nigerians who travel abroad return home, and only a small proportion remain outside the country permanently. “There is so much noise of Nigerians staying back. The ones who travel and return are far more than those who stay back. It’s not up to 10 per cent that don’t return,” she stated.

The decline in visa issuances comes amid a series of policy changes introduced after Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, which have gradually tightened requirements for Nigerian applicants.

In July 2025, the US Department of State announced that most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens would be restricted to single-entry permits valid for three months, with existing visas unaffected.

In August, applicants were required to disclose all social media usernames used over the previous five years on DS-160 forms, with officials warning that omissions could lead to visa denial or ineligibility.

Akporiaye also noted that travel demand cuts across income levels, from affluent individuals to ordinary citizens travelling for social events. “Nigerians like to explore. We travel for birthdays, weddings, and other ceremonies. I’m not talking about people like Dangote or Otedola, but ordinary Nigerians you don’t even know,” she said.

The expert, however, acknowledged that demand for US travel has softened relative to other destinations, citing operational and policy-related constraints.

“The demand has reduced for some destinations like the US, and it’s becoming worse now. Conditional requirements and operational changes at the US Embassy in Abuja have made access more difficult, including the consolidation of services in Lagos,” she stated.

“There are stories about visas being cancelled or Nigerians getting deported, and that makes people a bit sceptical. But other destinations are still booming.”

Further tightening followed in December 2025, when the US Mission in Nigeria said Washington expanded travel restrictions to include partial limitations on Nigeria and five other countries, effective January 1, 2026.

An executive at Travel and Tours Limited, Maureen Chimaobi, said securing a US visa has become increasingly difficult over the past year, with many first-time applicants facing steep odds despite completing all required procedures.

“Last year, getting a US visa drastically reduced, especially if you are a first-time traveller or first-time applicant. It’s almost a no-go area,” Chimaobi told our correspondent.

She noted that applicants continue to pay visa fees, schedule appointments and attend interviews, but approvals have become far less predictable. “You pay your visa fee, book your appointment and go for submission. Most of the time, they don’t give it,” the agent said.

The trend reflects growing concerns among travel operators about declining approval rates for Nigerian applicants, even as demand for overseas travel remains strong. Chimaobi said rejection levels have remained high throughout the period under review, particularly for individuals with limited international travel history.

The tougher environment is also influencing destination choices. More Nigerians are turning to countries where visa approvals are perceived to be more attainable, provided applicants can demonstrate sufficient financial capacity and present strong documentation.

“I think most countries still offer a 70 to 80 per cent chance of getting a visa, depending on the quality of your documents and your financial status,” Chimaobi revealed.

She identified the United Kingdom as one of the destinations with relatively stronger approval prospects, although she cautioned that British authorities have also hardened their assessment processes in recent months.

France and other countries within the Schengen area, once considered more accessible to Nigerian travellers, have become increasingly selective, especially toward first-time applicants, she added.

“Before now, France used to issue visas more easily, but most Schengen countries have become difficult over time, particularly for first-time travellers,” Chimaobi said.

JUNE 13, 2026

About 98 Nigerians serving prison sentences in Ethiopia are set to be repatriated to Nigeria following the signing of a prisoner transfer agreement between both countries.

The development was announced during a visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to Nigerian inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia, where she conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s assurance that the country had not abandoned them.

The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa on June 10, allows convicted Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons to serve the remainder of their jail terms in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, signed the pact on behalf of Nigeria, while Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for her country.

According to Ethiopian authorities, about 98 inmates — including two women — are eligible for transfer under the arrangement, provided they consent to the move and have at least one year remaining on their sentences.

Addressing the inmates, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the agreement was a product of the Tinubu administration’s citizen diplomacy policy and was guided by humanitarian considerations and cooperation between both countries.

She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died during the period of negotiations and legal processes leading to the conclusion of the agreement.

The minister urged the inmates to cooperate with authorities by completing the required documentation for their transfer and reminded them that the arrangement should not be seen as an excuse for criminal behaviour.

She also encouraged them to embrace rehabilitation and self-improvement, assuring them of the government’s commitment to supporting their reintegration through skills acquisition and capacity-building programmes.

“I want to once thank the Ethiopian government for this prisoner transfer agreement and also to keep assuring you that the Nigerian government remains concerned about your welfare, about your dignity and about your access to fair treatment under all the applicable laws and also to tell you on behalf of Nigerians, to maintain hope, discipline and good conduct and respect for the laws and regulations of your host country.

“And also, I wish to remind you about what I have been talking about, which is about personal rehabilitation. This personal rehabilitation, this self-improvement, and the conduct that you have given, good conduct that you’ve committed to, can create opportunities for you for a better future.

“The government also remains committed to providing avenues for technical training, for capacity building, for other pathways that will enhance your skills and provide better opportunities for a legitimate living,” the Minister said.

Assistant Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Aminu Yusuf, who represented the Controller-General, assured the inmates that arrangements had been made to receive them in Nigeria.

He said they would initially be processed at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being transferred to correctional facilities closer to their families.

The announcement sparked celebrations among the inmates, many of whom expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and their legal representatives.

Speaking on behalf of the prisoners, their spokesperson welcomed the agreement and pledged that the inmates would conduct themselves responsibly if returned to Nigeria.

JUNE 17, 2026

By : Ngozi Egenuka

The United Arab Emirates says its long-term economic commitments to Nigeria remain unchanged, while pointing instead to growing trade volumes, deeper investment activity and new opportunities in technology and infrastructure.

UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, said the relationship with Nigeria is increasingly being shaped by long-term economic priorities rather than short-term external developments, adding that Nigeria has become an increasingly important partner within the UAE’s broader engagement across Africa, reflecting growing economic ties between the Gulf and one of the continent’s largest markets.

“The UAE–Nigeria partnership is defined by resilience and a shared vision for growth. We see significant opportunities to deepen cooperation, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, energy, and other sectors that drive long-term economic development,” he said.

That outlook has been supported by expanding trade between both countries. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria has grown significantly in recent years, increasing from approximately $1.3 billion in 2020 to nearly $4.9 billion in 2025, reflecting broader diversification in economic engagement.

Al Hajeri attributed that consistency to the UAE’s globally connected economy and long-term investment approach. “This consistency is underpinned by the UAE’s globally connected economy and one of the world’s most competitive business environments, enabling us to navigate disruptions and safeguard both public and private sector investments,” he said.

He added that years of investment in infrastructure, logistics and supply-chain resilience had helped maintain continuity across trade corridors and support stable commercial relationships across West Africa. Beyond trade, the UAE noted that the next phase of engagement with Nigeria will increasingly centre on investment, innovation and economic transformation.

According to Al Hajeri, the UAE’s partnerships across Africa today extend across more than 50 countries and cover sectors including sustainable energy, food security, infrastructure, education, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and healthcare.

That broader agenda is increasingly being supported through trade and investment platforms designed to encourage deeper integration.

“The UAE–Nigeria partnership is evolving beyond trade toward long-term economic transformation, driven by innovation, technology, and strategic investment, within a framework of cooperation that fosters mutual prosperity for our peoples,” Al Hajeri said.

He pointed to the UAE’s expanding Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement programme, which now includes agreements across ten African economies and is intended to support stronger investment and commercial connectivity. In parallel, the UAE has launched its USD 1 billion “AI for Development in Africa” initiative, announced at the G20 Summit in South Africa, aimed at supporting projects that strengthen digital ecosystems, expand economic opportunities and accelerate sustainable development.

“In parallel, through our USD 1 billion ‘AI for Development in Africa’ initiative, launched at the G20 Summit in South Africa, we are investing in the technologies that will shape the future – supporting AI projects that boost economic and social development, strengthen digital ecosystems, and unlock new pathways for sustainable growth,” he said.

JUNE 17, 2026

WINDHOEK, June 17 (Reuters) – Namibia’s central bank raised its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 6.75% in a decision announced on Wednesday.

It was the first increase in the repo rate in three years.

Inflation quickened to 4.1% year on year in May from 3.1% in April.

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The rise in inflation came despite the Southern African country’s government cutting fuel levies to cushion the impact of the global energy price surge triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

JUNE 17, 2026

By Tim Cocks

DURBAN, South Africa, June 15 (Reuters) — When 33-year-old Princess Adjei opened her hair salon in downtown Durban in November, she had already spent nearly her entire life in South Africa after arriving from Ghana as a toddler. There was no other country she considered home.

Adjei completed all her schooling in South Africa, speaks Zulu, and has local friends. Until recently, it rarely occurred to her that she might be viewed as an outsider.

On May 18, demonstrators participating in an anti-migrant march broke into her salon and looted it. Suddenly, even people she knew began telling her to go "home" to a country she has visited only once.

Adjei is among scores of victims caught up in attacks targeting mostly African foreign nationals, whom an anti-immigration movement accuses of living in South Africa illegally. Many of those affected, however, possess legal documentation and have lived in the country for decades.

"They took everything," Adjei said as she surveyed the wreckage of her first-floor salon, surrounded by smashed mirrors and broken chairs.

"Those were hair pieces I was selling here," she told Reuters, pointing to a wall of empty hooks. "There were acrylic nails, six hair dryers, a range of shampoos. All gone."

Migrants Sleep on Streets After Attacks

Adjei said she spent 50,000 rand (more than $3,000) renovating the salon in February. This month, she was forced to leave her apartment in central Durban.

"Without the salon, I don't have money for rent," she said, showing Reuters a blanket where she and her 14-year-old son now sleep alongside about 200 other migrants on a pavement outside a government office.

The migrants have established a makeshift camp outside the Department of Home Affairs, hoping officials can confirm their residency status.

Others have fled towns and cities across South Africa, seeking refuge on mountainsides and open ground amid violence that has killed at least five people and strained diplomatic relations with other African nations.

Reuters interviewed a dozen migrants in Durban, including four who have lived in South Africa since childhood.

March and March, the organization that initiated the protests last month, rejects accusations of xenophobia.

"Xenophobia applies to those people who come to a country illegally and make people from that country feel uncomfortable," said Jacinta Ngobese, founder of March and March.

Ngobese argued that her movement has redirected public anger toward the government rather than migrants. Nevertheless, the group's demonstrations have frequently coincided with violence, including the looting of foreign-owned businesses and the destruction of homes.

"We are not responsible for the violence," she said. "If we were violent, we would have been arrested."

Migrants Say Police Turned Them Away

Following the unrest in Durban, approximately 200 migrants sought shelter outside the city's central police station.

Four migrants interviewed by Reuters, including Adjei, said police escorted them first to a homeless shelter and later to a market warehouse. In both locations, existing occupants refused to accommodate them.

The following day, police allegedly ordered them to leave and later dispersed them using tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets, according to the migrants and local media reports.

"They told us to look for another shelter," said Congolese refugee Tchomba Kasongo, displaying a scar on his leg that he said was caused by a rubber bullet.

The migrants now fear a June 30 deadline set by protesters for all allegedly "illegal" migrants to leave the country.

Durban police spokesperson Booysie Zungu denied the allegations.

"We never tear-gassed anyone, we never fired on anyone," he told Reuters. Asked about attacks on migrant-owned businesses, including Adjei's salon, he said no such cases had been officially reported.

"We don't have cases of that nature reported. They must open a case," Zungu said.

A spokesperson for Durban's mayor declined to comment.

Old Friends Turn Against Migrants

When Adjei returned to her apartment after discovering her salon had been looted, she encountered a South African neighbor she had long considered a friend.

The two had often shared tea and conversations in their apartment corridor. This time, however, he demanded to know when she planned to leave the country.

It was the third major outbreak of xenophobic hostility Adjei had experienced since arriving in South Africa. The first occurred during anti-immigrant violence in 2008, when classmates who had previously shown little interest in her nationality began bullying her.

Some South Africans have continued to support migrants.

After the latest attacks, 25-year-old Congolese refugee Wivene Bahati, who has lived in South Africa since 2011 and now sleeps on the pavement near Adjei, said an old school friend reached out to check on her.

"She felt bad. She asked me if everything was okay," Bahati said.

Migrants Blamed for Economic Pressures

Analysts say migrants are often viewed as competitors for jobs and public services, making them convenient scapegoats when economic conditions deteriorate or government services fail.

Anti-migrant sentiment has also tended to intensify around election periods, when politicians sometimes exploit the issue for populist support. South Africa is scheduled to hold local elections by November.

Thamsanqa Ntuli, Premier of KwaZulu-Natal province, where Durban is located, rejected suggestions that political factors are driving xenophobia, instead pointing to illegal migration.

"We agree with the entire society when they say: 'Government, you should have started to manage migration properly a long time ago,'" Ntuli told Reuters.

($1 = 16.2213 rand)

Reporting by Tim Cocks; additional reporting by Rogan Ward in Durban; editing by Andrew Heavens.

JUNE 17, 2026

By Onozure Dania

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited to pay Mrs. Joy Ezetah the sum of $5,906.50 in damages after it failed to allow her board a scheduled Lagos-London flight, an incident that disrupted her onward trip to Canada and caused her financial loss.

Justice Ibrahim Kala in the judgement delivered on Monday, held that the airline was liable for the losses suffered by the claimant after she was denied boarding at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on 6 April 2024.

The claimant had asked the court for N100m in general damages, arguing that she bought a business-class ticket through Air Canada for a four-leg trip from Lagos to Toronto and back, but was stopped from boarding the Virgin Atlantic flight “without justification.”

She told the court that she arrived early, completed check-in, and was issued a boarding pass for the Lagos-London leg.

According to her, airline officials later prevented her from boarding, stating they could not connect her ticket to her Air Canada connecting flight from London to Toronto.

Ezetah stated that the airline owed her a duty of care and should have resolved the issue with Air Canada or made other arrangements instead of denying her boarding.

She further maintained that when she later contacted Air Canada, the airline confirmed that her ticket was valid and that she was expected on the connecting flight.

Virgin Atlantic, however, denied liability. It said it was “not the issuing carrier” and insisted that the ticket had been purchased directly from Air Canada under a codeshare arrangement.

The airline also argued that an error code in the reservation system prevented it from issuing a boarding pass for the connecting flight and that it acted professionally by advising the passenger to contact the ticket issuer.

It further contended that the claimant’s inability to complete online check-in before arriving at the airport showed that there was already a problem with the ticket.

After reviewing the evidence, submissions and legal authorities cited by both sides, Justice Kala held that the claimant’s case had merit.

The court awarded $5,906.50 in damages against Virgin Atlantic and ordered that the sum be paid using the prevailing exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Based on the highest official rate of N1,365.50 to a dollar, the award translates to about N8.07m.

Justice Kala also ordered the airline to pay 10 per cent interest per annum on the judgment sum until full liquidation of the debt.

Additionally, the court awarded N5m as costs against Virgin Atlantic, noting that the claimant had been forced to approach the court to enforce her rights.

JUNE 19, 2026

• The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has relaxed its travel advisories for several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE (Dubai), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and parts of Saudi Arabia.
• This change means the FCDO no longer advises against 'all but essential travel' to these destinations, which will make it easier for British holidaymakers to visit and ensure their travel insurance remains valid.
• The updated advice comes after a memorandum of understanding was announced between the United States and Iran regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
• Despite the agreement, the FCDO warns that the situation remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice, advising British nationals to stay informed and follow local authority guidance.
• Travel advisories against all travel to Iran, Syria, and Yemen remain in effect due to ongoing security concerns in those regions.

JUNE 26, 2026

BY  Olasunkanmi Akinlotan and Raphael Ede

The Federal Government has officially handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement aimed at rehabilitating, expanding, and managing the airport in line with international standards.

Under the agreement, Aero Alliance Limited will finance, rehabilitate, expand, operate and manage the facility, with the objective of enhancing safety, operational efficiency and passenger experience while positioning the airport as a major aviation hub in the South-East.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the airport’s international terminal, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the concession as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to improve airport infrastructure through private sector participation.

Keyamo noted that previous attempts by successive administrations to concession airports across the country failed to attract investors to Enugu and Port Harcourt airports, despite strong interest in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.

Keyamo said, “For 20 years, various governments have tried to concession some of our airports because of the belief that the private sector would run them more professionally and in a more commercially driven way.

“During the previous administration, when almost all the airports were advertised for concession, all the bidders avoided Enugu and Port Harcourt airports. There was not one bidder for Enugu and Port Harcourt. Everybody was rushing to Lagos, Kano, and Abuja because many people wanted ready food.”

According to the minister, the situation has changed dramatically under the current administration, reflecting growing investor confidence in the economic prospects of the South-East.

“However, under the able leadership of President Bola Tinubu and under the visionary leadership of people like Dr Peter Mbah, the reverse is the case,” he said. “Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone.”

Speaking in a follow-up statement, the minister allayed labour unions’ concerns, assuring airport workers that their interests and welfare remain protected under the concession arrangement.

“When we came into office, all aviation labour unions were in court challenging the concession programme. One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions. I want to assure workers that they are protected. However, it will no longer be business as usual. This airport will now be privately managed with a strong focus on efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. Those who perform their duties diligently have nothing to fear,” he added.

The minister further commended the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for driving the transformation of the airport and attracting investors to the project. He recalled that shortly after assuming office, the governor approached President Tinubu with a clear vision to develop Enugu into a major aviation and investment destination.

“Dr Peter Mbah went straight to Mr President a few weeks after his inauguration and said, ‘This is my plan for the airport.’ The President directed that we should give him all the assistance he needs to turn Enugu into an aviation and investment hub.

“Mbah started with Enugu Air, and now he has brought in capital and investors for the airport,” Keyamo added.

The minister urged Aero Alliance Limited to execute the concession professionally and transparently, while assuring airport workers that the arrangement would create more employment opportunities rather than result in job losses.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Jobson Ewalefor, described the concession as historic and attributed its success to Governor Mbah’s credibility and persistence.

“That we are here today is because of the reputation of the governor. His reputation attracted the capital. Governor Peter Mbah is a strategic and methodical leader who has consistently pursued this project,” he said.

Ewalefor expressed confidence in the viability of the airport, citing the launch of Enugu Air and growing international partnerships as indicators of the state’s rising profile in the aviation sector.

In his remarks, Governor Mbah described the concession as a major breakthrough for the South-East, saying it would unlock new economic opportunities and improve regional competitiveness.

“It opens a new chapter of economic possibilities because businesses across our region have long grappled with logistics constraints that increased costs, lengthened delivery timelines, and limited competitiveness,” he said.

The governor expressed optimism that the concession would serve as a catalyst for economic growth and improved connectivity across the region.

Mbah stressed, “We hope future generations will look back to this day as the moment when Akanu Ibiam International Airport began its transformation into a truly world-class gateway serving the South-East, connecting Nigeria to the world and opening new pathways to prosperity for millions of our people.”

Mbah added that the airport concession aligns with his administration’s broader vision of positioning Enugu as a preferred destination for investment, trade, tourism, and industrial development.

On behalf of the concessionaire, the Managing Director of Aero Alliance Limited, Saleem Hussain, assured stakeholders that the consortium would deploy its more than 30 years of aviation experience to transform the airport into one of Africa’s leading aviation and logistics centres.

“Our goal is to transform Akanu Ibiam International Airport into one of Africa’s leading regional aviation, logistics, and commercial hubs,” Hussain said.

He explained that the company would focus on improving connectivity, cargo and logistics operations, passenger experience, commercial activities and overall operational efficiency.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, alongside the Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor, and the FAAN Regional General Manager, Hillary Umunna, pledged their support for the successful implementation of the concession agreement.

JUNE 29, 2026

BY Sima KotechaSenior UK correspondent

People granted asylum in the UK will be required to pay back around £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning, the government has announced.

Adults who have sufficient funds will be asked to pay off the sum over time under new rules included in the upcoming Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will be put before Parliament on Tuesday.

It will apply to those who have refugee status or indefinite leave to remain, which allows migrants to live and work in the UK, and must be paid off before they can become eligible for settled status.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes would demonstrate "asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility".

She added: "Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so."

The plans will mean migrants working and earning a specific amount will be required to pay back a flat-rate sum, which is expected to be set at £10,000.

The Home Office has not determined how much they would need to earn before making monthly instalments.

The home secretary would have the power to adjust the charge and the repayment thresholds in the future to ensure "they are both fair to the taxpayer and will not force any migrant into destitution".

Around £4bn of taxpayers' money was spent on supporting asylum seekers last year, according to the Home Office.

The average cost of housing an asylum seeker for one night in publicly-owned accommodation is £23.25, and £144 in a hotel - while subsistence payments range from £9.95 to £49.18 for each person per week.

The Refugee Council said the "unfair, impractical" plans amounted to an "extra tax on refugees", and would make it "harder for families to rebuild their lives and stand on their own feet".

Its director of external affairs Imran Hussain said: "The reason why many need asylum support is because the Home Office itself bans asylum seekers from working while their claims are being assessed.

"Asylum support is only given to people who are at risk of being destitute, so this new financial burden would only harm those who arrive on our shores with nothing."

The University of Oxford's Migration Observatory questioned how much money the government would actually be able to recoup through the system, pointing to the low rates of employment and earning among refugees.

Dr Madeleine Sumption said: "In 2023, for example, an estimated 13% of people granted refugee status five years earlier were earning at least £20,000, with the rest either not working or on lower earnings.

"The data suggests that unless thresholds were significantly below the minimum wage, a relatively small share of people granted asylum would earn enough to make contributions to the scheme."

According to the Home Office, a quarter of 16 to 64-year-olds granted asylum between 2015 and 2023 were in employment within the same calendar.

That number rose to 50% two years after refugee status was granted.

Of those who were in employment eight years after receiving refugee status, 37% had been in full-time work with median earnings of £23,000, with just 40% earning more than the minimum wage.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Labour had "adopted yet another" Conservative policy, adding: "This precise scheme was proposed by us in an amendment to the Immigration Bill last year, which Labour blocked."

Ministers hope the Immigration and Asylum Bill will bring into force proposals that will create a firm but fair asylum system, and which will reduce the pull factors driving illegal migration.

However, parts of the bill are expected to draw opposition from some Labour MPs opposed to some of the strictest measures it will contain.

Last week, the Home Office revealed it was planning to use more former military barracks to house thousands of asylum seekers after closing 20 more hotels in England.

It also said the new the immigration law would include plans for new "capped safe and legal" routes to the UK for refugees, which would involve organisations like universities, community groups and businesses sponsoring a person to reduce costs for the taxpayer.