The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted a license for the commencement of domestic flight operations by Enugu Air.

The disclosure was contained in a statement signed by the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on Monday.

Enugu Air was officially inaugurated on Monday, July 7, 2025, by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at a ceremony attended by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah. The airline commenced commercial operations with three Embraer 170 aircraft, each with a seating capacity of approximately 76 passengers.

The interim license by the NCAA, however, was for operations through a partnership with XEJet, pending the completion of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process.

According to the statement, the approval allows Enugu Air to launch flight services using XEJet’s operational framework and aircraft, following a completed variation process that integrated the Embraer E170 aircraft into XEJet’s Operations Specifications.

The statement noted that ticket bookings are currently being facilitated through the XEJet platform, accessible via a redirect on Enugu Air’s official website.

It added that the arrangement aligns with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s 5-Point Agenda, which prioritises the growth of Indigenous airlines and the promotion of a more business-friendly operating environment.

The NCAA confirmed that XEJET is now authorised to operate scheduled commercial flights on behalf of Enugu Air, in line with the Authority’s five-phase certification procedure.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approves the commencement of domestic flight operations by Enugu Air, in line with the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s 5-Point Agenda aimed at promoting the growth of indigenous airlines, the DGCAs mantra, enhancing ease of doing business, and deepening sectoral reforms.

“Enugu Air has designated XEJET as its operational partner pending the conclusion of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process.

“Pursuant to this partnership, XEJET has completed a full variation process to integrate the EMB 170 aircraft into its Operations Specifications (OpsSpecs), in accordance with NCAA’s five-phase certification procedure. As such, XEJET is duly authorised to operate scheduled commercial flights on behalf of Enugu Air under current NCAA guidelines,” the statement read in part.

The NCAA also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding high standards of safety, security, and consumer protection while fostering fair competition across Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Nigerian banks have resumed the use of naira debit cards for international transactions and online payments, more than three years after financial institutions suspended the service due to acute dollar shortages.

The move by the banks signals improved dollar availability following reforms under President Bola Tinubu, who in June 2023 scrapped currency controls, increasing the flow of dollars into the economy.

GT Bank among the largest by market value, said naira debit cards could now be used with a limit of $1,000 a quarter.

“The quarterly limit covers all transactions, including ATM cash withdrawals, purchases on international websites, POS (point of sale) payments outside Nigeria, and many more,” the bank said in a notice to customers.

Stanbic IBTC, a local unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank, said up to $500 a month could be spent on local credit cards. Other banks, including First Bank and Wema Bank, also set a $500 monthly limit on naira debit cards.

The restoration of international card use comes as the naira has held steady this year. It was trading around 1,528 naira to the dollar on Monday, LSEG data showed.

Analysts say the naira has been supported by improved reserves, which stood at $39 billion in May and higher foreign exchange inflows that increased to $28.92 billion in the first quarter of this year, according to central bank data.

(PE/REUTERS)

Nigeria’s economy is likely to take a fresh downturn if the United States President, Donald Trump, follows through with his threat to impose an extra trade tariff on countries aligning with BRICS.

The word BRICS was coined from the names of the pioneer nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which came together under an informal grouping of emerging economies.

It also comprised six coalition members, such as Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, which joined in 2024.

Trump lashed out at the 11 nations of BRICS on Sunday, vowing to impose an extra 10 per cent tariff on the grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Sunday.

Nigeria is one of the countries aligning with BRICS.

Nigeria was formally admitted as the ninth BRICS partner country in January 2025, a status introduced at the 16th BRICS Summit in October 2024.

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday for the 17th summit of BRICS countries.

President Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on the strength of Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’ — a membership category short of full status.

As a partner country, Nigeria can participate in BRICS meetings, summits, and initiatives, contributing to discussions and official documents.

The partner status is an upgrade from its previous guest status, which the country had enjoyed over the years.

Trump’s fresh threat comes as BRICS leaders at the summit on Sunday criticised Trump’s “indiscriminate” import tariffs and recent Israeli-US strikes on Iran.

Voicing “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff” measures, BRICS members said the tariffs risked hurting the global economy, according to a summit joint statement.

Trump fired back at the bloc directly on social media Sunday night.

In April, Trump threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties, before offering a months-long reprieve in the face of a fierce market sell-off.

Trump has warned he will impose unilateral levies on partners unless they reach “deals” by August 1.

Nigeria’s economy has taken a tumble since 2023, with headline inflation reaching 28.92 per cent in December 2023 in relative to 18.85 per cent in 2022. It rose further by 34.2 per cent in June 2024.

It, however, dropped to 27.50 per cent recently, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The rate has been maintained at this level by the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee for two consecutive meetings, including the one held in May 2025.

The apex bank has had to make recent policy changes, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floatation of the naira’s exchange rate — aimed at stabilising the economy and boosting growth.

While Nigeria holds the position of Africa’s largest economy, it faces challenges such as high inflation, a fluctuating global oil market, and a need for diversification.

The country’s GDP has seen fluctuating growth rates in recent years, with an average of 2.3 per cent in the decade leading up to 2023.

An extra 10 per cent tariff from the US could have a high impact on Nigeria’s exports to the US.

Nigeria’s primary export to the United States is crude oil, making up a significant portion of their bilateral trade. Over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s exports to the US consist of crude oil and related petroleum products.

A smaller portion of exports to the US includes items like fertiliser, agricultural commodities, and manufactured goods.

While the US is a major trading partner for Nigeria, Nigeria represents a relatively small percentage of the total trade volume of the US.

Recent reports indicate that US tariffs on non-oil exports from Nigeria could negatively impact Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its export base.

Again, Nigeria’s heavy reliance on crude oil exports makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations and shifts in global demand.