Business
NAMA suspends planned increase in navigation charges

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, on Monday, suspended its proposed increment of en-route navigation charges.
Last week, NAMA said it was proposing the increase of en-route navigation charges from N2,000 and N6,000 to N18,000 and N54,000 per flight.
However, the agency, in response to the directive from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has put the decision on hold.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Abdullahi Musa, in a statement, said the decision followed the Minister’s recognition of the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
Musa stated that the development was a testament to government’s responsiveness to public concerns and its commitment to balancing economic sustainability with the needs of its citizens.
The statement reads: “The Minister emphasised the need for further consultation before implementing any changes, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to the plight of Nigerians amidst these economic challenges.
“This decision follows the keynote address by Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, Managing Director/CE of NAMA, at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference held in Lagos on July 26, 2024. The theme of the conference was: ‘Aviation Survivability amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment’.”
“In his address, Farouk highlighted the significant economic pressures faced by the aviation industry, exacerbated by global economic volatility, fuel price hikes, and currency instability. He outlined strategies for survival and growth, including operational efficiency, embracing innovation and technology, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering collaboration and partnerships.
“Farouk also discussed the financial challenges NAMA faces, noting that the agency relies on statutory fees and charges for managing the airspace. The Nigerian airspace management agency had proposed an increase in its fees and charges to sustain its operations and ensure the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace. The new unit rate/minimum charge for en-route was set to increase to 18,000 Naira from 2,000 Naira per flight while the unit rate/minimum charge for terminal navigation charge (TCN domestic) were to rise to N54,000 from N6,000 per flight with effect from September 1.
‘NAMA would continue to engage the airlines, who have been responding to the prevailing economic situation since 2008 without taking NAMA into consideration, which is supposed to be a cost recovery agency in line with global practices.
“The directive from the Minister and the subsequent suspension of the planned increase underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerian citizens and stakeholders in the aviation sector.”
Business
NNPC hikes petrol price to N992/litre in Lagos

The Nigerian National Petroleum Limited (NNPCL) has increased petrol price to N992 per litre from N865 per litre.
No official reason has been given for the increment as of the time of filing this report.
Across NNPC retail outlets visited by The Nation, attendants were seen adjusting their pumps to reflect the new price.
At NNPC filling station on Ogunusi road, Ojodu Berger, petrol attendants at the station said they were instructed to change the price to reflect the new rate N992 per litre.
However, checks at Ibafo along the Lagos /Ibadan expressway showed that NNPC outlets still displayed the old price of N875 per litre, although they were not selling to commuters.
Most of the NNPC stations were not dispensing fuel. Nation
Business
Cardoso leads Nigeria’s delegation to World bank, IMF meetings in Washington

Central bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso will head Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings scheduled to open on Monday, October 13, in Washington DC.
The delegation, which includes the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, will represent Nigeria at the week-long global financial event attended by central bankers, finance ministers, and development partners from around the world.
A statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, confirmed that Mr Cardoso, as the Alternate Governor of the World Bank and IMF for Nigeria, will stand in for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who has been ruled out due to illness.
According to the statement, Mr. Edun remains in Nigeria but may be flown abroad for further medical attention. The presidency noted that Mr. Cardoso will lead the delegation in discussions focused on economic growth, fiscal stability, and global financial development.
The World Bank stated that this year’s meetings will feature several high-level sessions, including the Development Committee Plenary on October 16 and the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting on October 17.
These sessions are expected to focus on global economic outlooks, poverty reduction, debt sustainability, and policy coordination among member countries.
Mr Onanuga also disclosed that the annual event will include regional briefings, press conferences, and fora devoted to international development, financial stability, and global economic resilience.
The meetings provide a platform for Nigeria and other member nations to engage with development partners and explore policy options for tackling economic challenges, enhancing fiscal transparency, and strengthening institutional frameworks.
In a related update, the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update (NDU) released on October 8 urged the Nigerian government to audit the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and strengthen revenue mobilisation through increased value-added tax (VAT) and health taxes.
The report further advised that the gains from recent macroeconomic reforms should translate into measurable improvements in citizens’ living standards.
Nigeria’s participation in the annual meetings comes amid ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to stabilise the economy, attract foreign investment, and deepen collaboration with global financial institutions.
The delegation is expected to hold bilateral discussions on key development initiatives and financing opportunities during the sessions.
Business
Dangote Cement officially launches operations in Côte d’Ivoire

Nigerian giant, Dangote Cement, a subsidiary of the group founded by Aliko Dangote, has officially launched its operations in Attingué, some 30 kilometres from Abidjan.
The announcement was made by Nigerian Independence merchandiseSerge Gbotta, Managing Director of Dangote Cement Côte d’Ivoire, at the Novotel Abidjan-Marcory.
Covering an area of 50 hectares, the plant has a production capacity of 3 million tonnes of cement per year, making it one of the group’s largest facilities outside Nigeria.
This strategic project, with an estimated investment of 100 billion CFA francs, embodies Aliko Dangote’s vision of building a self-sufficient Africa that is less dependent on imports and capable of transforming its own resources into world-class finished products.
With this facility, Côte d’Ivoire becomes the 11th African country to host a Dangote Cement production unit.
The group, which has a total capacity of 55 million tonnes per year on the continent, intends to contribute to the development of Ivorian infrastructure and meet the growing demand for construction materials, driven by rapid urbanisation and major construction projects in the country.
According to forecasts, the Attingué plant could generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. This represents a significant boost for young people in Côte d’Ivoire, but also for the ecosystem of local SMEs – transporters, building tradespeople, retailers, suppliers and subcontractors.
At the launch ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Cement Côte d’Ivoire reiterated the company’s philosophy: “Our ambition is clear: to offer Ivorians internationally-standard cement, produced locally, at a competitive price. The Attingué plant is not just an industrial unit, it is a symbol of confidence in the future of Côte d’Ivoire and a commitment to sustainable development alongside local communities,” said Mr Gbotta.
Sales and Marketing Director, Stephane Tchimou; Legal and Compliance Director, Francophone Africa, Romina M. Orlando; Chijioke Nwobi, Human Resources Director; Dangote Cement Ivory Coast CEO, Serge Gbotta and Plant Director, Loius Raj.
The CEO also highlighted the training programmes that the company intends to set up for young Ivorian engineers and technicians through the Dangote Academy, with a view to strengthening local skills in industrial management.
For his part, Stéphane Tchimou, Commercial Director of Dangote Cement Côte d’Ivoire, emphasised the direct impact of this facility on construction industry players and distributors: “We know that Ivorian masons, craftsmen and contractors need reliable, high-performance cement that is available without interruption. It is for them that we have chosen to establish one of our largest units here. Our distribution network will be structured to ensure proximity and availability in all regions of the country,” he said.
He added that the company plans to put support mechanisms in place, including credit facilities and commercial assistance, to support small retailers and boost the value chain.
Beyond the purely industrial aspect, Dangote Cement promises community initiatives around the Attingué plant: opening access roads, drinking water supply projects, support for local health facilities. The company is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, in partnership with local authorities and certain NGOs.
‘The risks in Africa are often exaggerated. In reality, this continent is full of opportunities. Our role is to tell a new story, that of an Africa that produces, innovates and builds for its children,’ sums up Aliko Dangote, founder of the group.
With its premium cement available in several grades (CPJ 32.5R for masonry, CPJ 42.5N for buildings and CPA 52.5 for large structures), Dangote Cement intends to establish itself as a trusted partner for the Ivorian construction industry.
The Attingué plant, designed to be at the cutting edge of technology, should enable the country to significantly reduce its cement imports and eventually become a regional hub for production and export.
It should be noted that Dangote Cement’s arrival in Côte d’Ivoire is not just about opening a factory. According to the businessman, it is a promise of shared growth, job creation and knowledge transfer. Between industrial ambition, economic opportunities and social commitment, the Nigerian giant wants to help write a new chapter in the history of construction in Côte d’Ivoire.
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