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FG Aviation Agencies Merger Plans Continues Amidst Protests

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Osita Chidoka,  Minister of Aviation
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Following the setting up of technical committee for the implementation of White Paper on the merge of some aviation agencies, it goes to show the Federal Government is resolute on the matter.

The Federal Government has despite  the outcries of stakeholders and especially the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) gone ahead to set machineries in motion to merge Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to one amorphous agency to be known as Federal Civil Aviation Authority(FCAA).

To this end, and in consonance with an earlier memo dated 14,July,2014, SGF/12/S.II/C.9/42 by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim the Ministerial Technical Implementation Committee have reportedly submitted its report on the white paper to the office of the SGF in the presidency, according to a report by NigerianCommercial Aviationnews.

The report also contained that before now, various professionals, trade associations and labour unions have vehemently opposed the merger of the three agencies on the basis that it would draw the industry to pre-1999 era when there was no difference between industry regulator and service  provider as laid down ICAO.

However, the safety concerns expressed the due to the amorphous entity then tagged FCAA, the government listen to voice of reason and set in motion the review of Civil Aviation Act by constitution of members of review committee which led the promulgation of the Civil Aviation Act,2006 and separation of the regulator from service provider.

This eventually led to the establishment the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as an autonomous regulator of the industry; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria as against the previous Nigerian Airports Authority(NAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and NIMET-all three service providers.

NAMA as navigation service provider, FAAN-airport development/management and NIMET, weather forecast services.

To this end, ICAO member States of which Nigeria belong at a conference in Montreal, Canada between 15-20, September, 2008 on theSeparation of Air Navigation Services (ANS) Provision from Regulation Oversight summarised as followed : ” Autonomy for the air navigation services provider, and its separation from the regulatory oversight function is well established in ICAO guidance material.

It is evidenced that greater financial and operational autonomy for the ANSP HAS encouraged a business approach to service delivery and an improved of service.

Separation of ANS provision from the regulatory oversight function enhances ATM performance and instils public confidence in the ANSP and the services it provides.

Separation of provision from regulation is consistent with principles of good governance ; the regulatory oversight function must be seen as independent and transparent. While this guidance material is only supplemental to standards and recommended practices (SARP’s), it is of significance to ICAO’s strategic objectives of Safety and Efficiency “.

Following the above, the National Union of Air Transport Employees in April this year  noted in a memo to the presidency that the above stated objective of ICAO ” Is currently the role Nigerian Airspace Management Agency plays and which she has played to the admiration of world bodies and international stakeholders and which has earned her international awards”. The same also applies to NIMET which the Nigerian government set up through an Act No 9 of June 19, 2003 as a semi-autonomous agency.

NUATE in the said memo noted:” Our Union most patriotically request therefore that the pronounced merger of these agencies should therefore be stepped down immediately to avoid further further embarrassment.

In a similar vein the Aviation Round Table, a non-governmental industry watcher following the announcement of the planned merger in its white paper on the Steve Orosanye report advised government against going ahead with “This ridiculous  recommendation” as regards the three aviation agencies.

Despite all the explicit explanations and the ICAO stand on the separation of service

providers from the regulatory agency, the federal government through a memo to dated 14, July,2014 was bent on prosecuting the merging of the agencies by asking the Ministry of Aviation to set up technical committee for the implementation of the merger.

 


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FG Plans N50m STEEM Grant to Support Student Innovation in August

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In a giant stride to support innovation, entrepreneurship and economic transformation, the Federal Government is set to unveil a N50 million grant for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEEM) students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The project, which is referred to as the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), is a pioneering initiative designed to empower the students towards building the next generation of scalable, job-creating ventures.

According to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, Friday, the initiative will be formally unveiled in August by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

Boriowo stated that the minister made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ engagement session held in Abuja in the presence of vice-chancellors, provosts, rectors, student leaders, academic staff, and development partners, and will chart a collective course for nurturing student-led innovation.

The statement noted that the grant targets full-time undergraduate students in STEMM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences), specifically those in 300 level and above.

“Each selected student-led project will be eligible to receive startup funding of up to N50 million, along with access to mentorship, incubation services and business development support.

“The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to ensure financial transparency, impact measurement and effective project execution.

“S-VCG is not just a grant. It’s a launchpad for bold, young innovators to lead Nigeria’s industrial and technological transformation,” said Alausa.

Speaking at the session, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the grant as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

“We’re building a stronger, more competitive future by supporting innovation from the ground up,” she said, adding that the programme’s design was informed by months of consultation with students, faculty and institutional leaders.

Participants at the event welcomed the STEMM-Up Grant as a timely, strategic and high-impact initiative that will drive youth innovation, tackle graduate unemployment, and position Nigeria as a hub for student-led entrepreneurship in Africa.

 


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UK Businesses Look to Africa As Strategic Growth Partners

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New research by UK-based Strategy Management Partners reveals that a growing number of British businesses are identifying Africa as a key strategic growth region – drawn by structural reforms, demographic momentum, and rapid digital transformation across the continent.

The research, based on a survey of senior decision-makers from 250 large UK-based companies, finds that 50% are already active in African markets and planning to expand further.

An additional 28% are considering entry, signalling a clear uptick in long-term interest from international businesses with the resources to scale regionally.

The findings challenge outdated perceptions of Africa as a high-risk or secondary market. Instead, they highlight key drivers behind renewed commercial interest: • 61 per cent of UK leaders cited Africa’s large and growing consumer markets as a major draw. • 61 per cent pointed to the continent’s rapid pace of digital and technological adoption. • 50 per cent highlighted the potential of Africa’s young, skilled, and digitally native population.

The study also suggests that Africa is no longer viewed simply as a market for philanthropic initiatives or shortterm gain. Only 20 per cent of respondents cited philanthropic motives, while most are focused on building commercially viable, long-term operations.

Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), are also laying the groundwork for significant economic growth.

With 23 countries already implementing preferential tariffs, the framework is expected to facilitate smoother intra-regional trade, enable market scale, and support more efficient supply chains.

These structural improvements are making Africa more attractive to global firms with the ambition to operate at scale.

However, despite rising optimism, significant operational and policy challenges remain. The top four barriers to investment cited by UK business leaders were: political and country risk (68%); safety and security issues 66.4%); regulatory barriers and tariffs (60.4%); and the complexity of cross-border transactions (60%).

Addressing these issues will be crucial to unlocking Africa’s full potential for UK investment. UK companies are showing the most interest in sectors that align with Africa’s core strengths, such as natural resources, agriculture, a young and expanding population, and infrastructure development.

These areas are seen as the backbone for long-term commercial growth, offering opportunities to build local supply chains, expand digital services, scale manufacturing, and meet rising consumer demand.

However, for companies looking to invest or expand into Africa, success also depends on key enabling conditions. According to business leaders surveyed, the top factors supporting investment are: • The size of market and consumer demand (49.6%) • Reliable and consistent energy supply (48.4%) • Access to affordable, educated and capable talent (44.8%) • Efficient transportation networks, such as roads, ports, airports (38%) • A favourable macroeconomic environment: low interest rates, low inflation, stable exchange rates, and seamless cross-border transactions and repatriation of earnings(38%).

“UK businesses are increasingly seeing Africa as a strategic growth market, driven by structural reforms, digital adoption, and the momentum behind the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” says Muibat Ijaiya, Partner at Strategy Management Partners.

“But real progress will depend on practical cooperation with African governments. The AfCFTAis a pivotal step forward – what’s needed now is a deeper alignment between public policy and private investment to address trade, regulatory and infrastructure barriers, and unlock long-term, sustainable growth.”

 


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Experts Champion Sustainability at Lagos Green Economy Forum

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Lagos State’s transition to a greener economy is gaining momentum, with female leaders from top corporations taking the lead and the state government beginning to record early wins from its plastic bag policy.

At the Lagos Green Economy Forum held on July 23, senior executives from MTN Nigeria, IHS Towers, TechnoServe, and other large organisations highlighted the role of corporate innovation in advancing sustainability.

The all-female panel also emphasised the urgent need to integrate Nigeria’s thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the country’s green transition.

“We’re not just here to share strategies,” said Temilade Olabanji, Senior Manager, Sustainability and Shared Value, MTN Nigeria. “We are here to build local resilience. Our Project Zero is not only helping us cut emissions but also equipping our suppliers with the knowledge to do the same.”

MTN’s Project Zero aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, with a 50% reduction target by 2030. The company is already powering base stations and data centres with renewables, while training suppliers to understand carbon footprints and adopt circular practices. MTN has pledged that by 2026, 80% of its top suppliers will align with its sustainability goals.

Titilope Oguntuga, Director of Sustainability, IHS Towers, reinforced this approach, noting that the company’s Project Green is decarbonising its over 16,000 tower sites across Nigeria by switching to renewable energy. “Project Green is enabling all sites to run effectively with more renewable sources of energy rather than the typical fossil fuels,” she said. IHS also runs Clinic Without Walls, a free micro-health insurance scheme for underserved communities.

From the nonprofit sector, Juliet Ezeani, Senior Business Advisor of TechnoServe, explained how the organisation supports vendors through environmental impact assessments, sustainability training, and responsible procurement.“For all our projects, we look at how the project runs and especially how it affects the environment,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government provided an update on its green policy efforts, especially the plastic bag ban introduced two months ago.

“All of what we have done so far is towards making the economy of Lagos or the quality of life of the average Lagosian much better,” said Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), who represented the Honourable Commissioner, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

On the plastic bag ban, he added: “What that [the ban] has also done is to free up our drainage from the plastic waste. In some way, we have reduced flooding, reduced pollution, and reduced the headache and the cost of maintaining drainages and labourers.”

Dr. Ajayi emphasised that green transition is not just a compliance issue for SMEs but an economic opportunity. “It helps them drive their engines, their entire businesses in a more sustainable manner.”

As Lagos accounts for nearly 30% of Nigeria’s GDP, the increasing alignment between corporate leaders and public policy towards a greener economy is positioning the state as a model for inclusive, environmentally responsible development.


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