British Airways had to offload 58 passengers from its Abuja to London flight on Friday morning because of a technical problem with the plane. The issue was traced to a faulty door, which meant that some seats next to it had to remain empty for safety. This reduced the number of passengers the plane could carry. As a result, 30 passengers accepted hotel stays offered by the airline while 28 decided to head back home. British Airways has promised to fly all affected passengers the next morning. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Relations at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident on social media. He said passengers affected by the delay have the right to ask for compensation and urged them to get help from NCAA officers at the airport. Passengers should approach NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the terminal. They will help make sure your rights are respected when things go wrong – Achimugu This situation shows the importance of safety checks on planes, and how authorities like the NCAA protect passengers when flights get delayed or changed. British Airways is working to fix the problem quickly and get everyone back on their way. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember to ask for your rights and reach out to consumer protection officers for support.
FG approves ₦142 billion for six new modern bus terminals across Nigeria
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a fresh contract worth ₦142 billion for the construction of six large, modern bus terminals across the country, a major federal push into road transport infrastructure. Announced on Wednesday, August 14, by the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, the project will see new terminals built in Abeokuta, Gombe, Kano, Lokoja, Onitsha, and Warri, one in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The contract was awarded to Planet Project Limited, the company best known for building the celebrated Oshodi Transport Interchange in Lagos. Minister Alkali explained that this is the first time the federal government, through the transport ministry, is taking such a sweeping step in road transport beyond just road construction. According to him, these new terminals are not just buildings, they are a direct response to issues like crime at unmanaged stops, road accidents, and the unchecked movement of weapons along highways. These terminals are meant to boost safety for both commuters and transport operators. The locations were picked because they see a lot of traffic and have strong business potential – Alkali Each terminal will serve as a modern hub for interstate travelers, equipped with better waiting areas, ticketing booths, and places for drivers to rest, similar to the terminals Planet Project already delivered in Lagos and is currently working to launch in Enugu. Background checks show that Planet Project Limited is not new to high-profile transit jobs. Just in May 2024, FEC awarded them another contract of ₦51 billion to build bus stations and other transport facilities in Abuja. Their Oshodi Transport Interchange in Lagos features three multi-storey terminals, pedestrian bridges, and control centers aimed at improving service quality and passenger safety. The company is also behind the Ikeja Bus Terminal, known for its intelligent transport systems and real-time passenger information services. Minister Alkali believes these new hubs will make travel more organized and attract private sector investment, while helping commuters move around the country more comfortably and safely. Construction work is expected to start soon, though no end date was given. The real benefit of this initiative will be felt when these terminals eventually open their doors, giving Nigeria’s transport system a much-needed facelift.
FIRS picks 16 tech firms to drive e-invoicing rollout, extends onboarding deadline to November
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has named 16 certified tech companies to help businesses get onboard its new e-invoicing platform before a November 1 deadline. Announced at a Lagos workshop on Thursday, the development comes as part of Nigeria’s goal to improve tax compliance through digital tools. The certified firms will help guide taxpayers through registration and usage of the FIRS Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS), a system replacing old paper invoices with structured digital ones for all business transactions. The companies, certified by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), include Pasca Technology Limited, Hoptool Technology Limited, Etranzact International Plc, Telepac Africa Nigeria Limited, Cryptware System Limited, Namiri Technology Nigeria Limited, Ace of Spades Consult Nigeria Limited, Jureb Business Solutions Limited, Qucoon Limited, Courteville Business Solutions, Softrust Technologies Limited, Westmetro Limited, Arca Payments Company Limited, Elara Technical Services Limited, Interswitch Limited, and Remita Payment Limited. FIRS says these firms demonstrated the technical capacity to deliver nationwide, secure, and neutral services. Speaking at the event, Mike Adoga, Acting Director of Tax Automation at FIRS, told business owners they are free to use any certified company, and can switch if service falls short. If any of them is not compliant for whatsoever reason, you have the choice to change, and then let us know as FIRS. If you sense any breach or any problems in dealing with anyone, please reach out to the FIRS team – Adoga He also stressed that service providers found to be compromising standards will be delisted. The platform began operation on August 1, with over 1,000 companies already onboarded. But that’s only 20% of the target,FIRS expects over 5,000 companies to sign up. In response, the deadline for full onboarding has been extended by three months to November 1 to encourage voluntary compliance. MTN, IHS, and Huawei are the first big companies to go live on the platform. Emmanuel Eze, Director of Change Management at FIRS, who represented the Chief of Staff to the FIRS Executive Chairman, said: We recognize that the onboarding journey is still ongoing. This is why the FIRS, in the spirit of encouraging voluntary compliance, has approved a three-month extension to the onboarding and transmission deadline. The e-invoicing system is designed to cover all types of business transactions, including business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-to-government deals. It aims to make tax administration simpler, faster, and more transparent, boosting confidence in government digital reforms.Workshops and live demos for companies will continue, as FIRS rolls out more certified partners and step-by-step guidance for successful integration.
Nigeria’s internet subscriptions dip in June, but data use keeps rising
Nigerians are spending more time online, even though fewer people are renewing their internet subscriptions, according to the latest figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC reports that active subscriptions for internet across mobile, fixed, and VOIP networks dropped slightly to 141.1 million this June, down 0.3% compared to May’s 141.5 million. The four biggest mobile network operators, MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and T2 (9mobile), still hold the lion’s share of the market with a combined 140.6 million subscriptions. Meanwhile, standalone internet service providers (ISPs) and other smaller players remain on the sidelines with just 528,633 users. Yet, even as subscriptions dipped, Nigerians’ appetite for data grew. Subscribers chewed through 1.044 million terabytes of data in June, just above May’s 1.043 million terabytes, marking one of the highest usage months since the NCC began recording this data in January 2023. At a recent media roundtable, telecom CEO Dinesh Balsingh said cities like Lagos are driving a data explosion, as more people and businesses go online with more devices. Cities like Lagos are growing at lightning speed, more people, more businesses, more devices – Balsingh Mobile subscriptions also took a hit in June, slipping to 171.5 million from May’s 172.4 million. MTN, the sector heavyweight, saw its subscriber numbers fall by 1 million to 89.2 million, but still controls over half of Nigeria’s mobile market. 9mobile lost nearly a quarter million users, dropping to 2.4 million, despite a recent deal to piggyback on MTN’s network infrastructure. Not all networks shrank, though. Airtel gained 36,316 new subscriptions, hitting 58.9 million. Globacom had the biggest boost, adding 263,028 subscriptions to reach a total of 20.8 million. The shifting numbers pushed Nigeria’s teledensity down to 79.22%, meaning fewer active phone connections per 100 inhabitants, compared to May’s 79.65%.
Court clears Ms. Comfort Emmason as Ibom Air withdraws charges, lifetime flying ban lifted
On August 13, 2025, an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court discharged Ms. Comfort Emmason from all charges related to an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. Ms. Emmason, who was accused of unruly behavior and assaulting flight crew, had been held in Kirikiri Prison since the incident on August 10. The court dropped the case after Ibom Air confirmed it was withdrawing the charges against her. The situation arose when Ms. Emmason reportedly refused to follow safety instructions before takeoff. After landing in Lagos, she is said to have assaulted the lead cabin crew member, another crew member, and airline security personnel. She even attempted to grab a fire extinguisher before being restrained and handed over to the police. Initially, Ibom Air imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on Ms. Emmason. However, following a broader consultation between the Federal Government, aviation stakeholders, and the airline, the ban was lifted. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision on his official X account, stressing support for the resolution from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and expressed remorse from Ms. Emmason. Relatedly, Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), who faced his own suspension, had his ban reduced to one month as part of the wider aviation community’s efforts toward fairer treatment of passengers. Legal experts have noted that Ibom Air’s initial lifetime ban exceeded its authority since only the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has the legal power to enforce nationwide flight restrictions. Proper due process must be followed in such cases. Ms. Emmason’s release marks a resolution to a controversial episode that attracted public attention and debate on the treatment of airline passengers in Nigeria. The lifting of the ban means she can once again travel on Nigerian airlines without restrictions from this incident. With this matter settled, the aviation community hopes for clearer guidelines on managing unruly passenger behavior while respecting legal rights and processes in the future.
Enugu State set to launch 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and five modern bus terminals
The Enugu State Government has announced the launch of 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and the commissioning of five modern bus terminals across the state today Thursday, August 14, 2025. This development aims to improve public transportation infrastructure and make commuting more convenient and sustainable for residents. Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah shared the news on his official X account, explaining that the terminals to be commissioned are located at Holy Ghost (two terminals), Nsukka, Abakpa, and Gariki. The CNG buses are part of a 200-bus fleet procured by the government, with this first batch set to enhance urban transit efficiency and safety. This falls under the Smart Transport Program (STP), which is focused on modernizing Enugu’s transport system through digitization, improved traffic management, and the adoption of eco-friendly transport solutions. The program also aims to provide job opportunities and training for youths involved in transport services. Dr. Malaki Uchennabu, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Communication, released a video showcasing the newly built bus terminals and CNG buses, inviting the public and transport stakeholders to the commissioning event. According to the government, this move marks a “giant leap” towards making travel faster, safer, and more enjoyable in Enugu State. Earlier efforts include the procurement of 50 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses and the development of new terminals, part of efforts put in place to expand and improve public transport within the state. This transport upgrade is expected to benefit daily commuters and contribute to a greener environment by promoting the use of cleaner fuel-powered buses.