Travel
NSIB launches investigation into Dana Air incident

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the runway excursion incident that occurred this morning involving a Dana Airline McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to the director-general of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Junior, the preliminary fact-finding on the incident that occurred at 9 a.m. on Tuesday indicated that Dana Airlines flight 9J0352 (registration number 5N-BKI), carrying 83 passengers and 6 crew members, departed Abuja at 8:20 a.m. local time and arrived in Lagos around 9:20 a.m.
“It had been raining, and the runway 18L surface was wet. The aircraft had a technical problem with its landing gear and experienced directional control problems after landing, which made it veer off the runway to the left and travel onto the grassy area near the Runway 18L link 6 turn-off point.
“Thankfully, there are no reported fatalities or injuries. As a precautionary measure, Runway 18L at MMA was temporarily closed following the incident.
“We have commenced an investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the runway excursion event involving the MD-82 aircraft with registration marking 5N-BKI.
“A go-team has been dispatched to the incident scene and has begun inquiries. We will leave no stone unturned in examining all aspects surrounding the incident.
“The investigation team has already retrieved the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder, which will be taken to our lab for data download. The transcript from Air Traffic Control and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will also be included for forensic analysis and further investigation.
“The NSIB team has also measured the aircraft’s veering point from the runway to its final stop on the grass. Crew members have been interviewed and undergone toxicology tests. As of today, all stakeholders involved in the operation of this aircraft, including the manufacturer, are being notified for their comments to be included in our report.
“The NSIB’s investigation of this incident will examine all aspects, including the airworthiness status of the aircraft, operational policies, human factors, weather condition, health and mental status of the crew, aircraft maintenance records, and any previous incidents involving this aircraft’s landing gear system.
“In accordance with international aviation safety protocols, a preliminary report containing a summary of basic fact-finding about the incident will be released within 30 days. A final report with safety recommendations will be issued at the conclusion of the investigation.
“During the course of the investigation, NSIB will collaborate with relevant stakeholders including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, as well as other relevant institutions and specialists to gather all necessary information, data, and evidence concerning the operation of the flight.
“This investigation aims to identify any safety deficiencies and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The objective of this investigation is to arrive at the cause of the incident and the factors that led to it, and to issue safety recommendations to deter recurrence. Protecting lives and maintaining public confidence in air travel is our utmost priority,” the NSIB DG added.
He, however, urged the public to remain patient as the investigation progresses, promising to provide regular updates as new information becomes available.
Travel
FG denies reports that the US has banned Nigerian airlines

The Federal government has denied reports that Nigerian airlines have been banned from the US airspace by the American government.
A report emerged on Sunday, September 1, that Nigeria had been delisted from the United States Federal Aviation Administration Category One Status (USFAA CAT 1) International Aviation Safety Assessment Programme (IASA).
According to the report, following this removal, no Nigerian airline, including Air Peace, which planned to commence direct flight from Lagos to New York “soon,” can operate directly to any city or airport in the US until the country is re-audited and re-certificated by the FAA and returned to its former status.
On Monday evening, the NCAA released a statement clarifying the situation.
“The attention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has once again been drawn to a publication about the purported ban on Nigerian airlines by United States. Due to the wrong impression such news could create, it has become expedient that we put this report in its proper perspective.
“To operate into the United States of Ameria, Nigeria like most countries must satisfactorily pass the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme and attain Category 1 status.
” Upon attaining this status, Nigerian airlines would be permitted to operate Nigerian registered aircraft and dry-leased foreign registered aircraft into the United States, in line with the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
“The first time Nigeria attained Category One Status was in August 2010. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted another safety assessment on Nigeria in 2014. A further safety assessment was conducted on Nigeria in 2017, after which Nigeria retained her Category One status.
“However, with effect from September, 2022, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) de-listed Category One countries who, after a 2-year period, had no indigenous operator provide service to the U.S. or carrying the airline code of a U.S operator.
“Also removed from the Category One list were countries who the FAA was not providing technical assistance to based on identified areas of non-compliance to international standards for safety oversight.
“No Nigerian operator has provided service into the United States using a Nigerian registered aircraft within the 2-year period preceding September, 2022 so it was expected that Nigeria would be de-listed as were other countries who fell within this category. Nigeria was, therefore, de-listed since 2022 and was duly informed of this action in 2022.
“It is important to clarify here that the de-listing of Nigeria has absolutely nothing to do with any safety or security deficiency in our oversight system. Nigeria has undergone comprehensive ICAO Safety and Security Audits and recorded no Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC) respectively.
“It is furthermore necessary to add that a Nigerian operator can still operate into the U.S. using an aircraft wet-leased from a country who has a current Category One status.
“The NCAA continues to adhere strictly to international safety and security standards and respects the sovereignty of States, including the United States of America, as enshrined in Article One of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This provision gives States complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territories.
Furthermore, it is in full realisation of this situation that has since prompted the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, to embark on an aggressive international campaign to empower our local operators to access the dry-lease market around the world which culminated in the visit to AIRBUS in France earlier this year and the MOU signed with BOEING in Seattle, Washington just last week.
” The Honourable Minister has also done a lot of work to make Nigeria comply fully with the Cape Town Convention which will bring back the confidence of international lessors in the Nigerian aviation market.
” We are confident that with these steps of the Honourable Minister, it is only a matter of time that Nigeria, not only regains, but can sustain its U.S. Category One status.
News
FG reviews cost of standard passport upward

Effective from September 1, 2024, Nigerians seeking to obtain Standard Passports will pay more as the federal government as approved an upward review of the fees.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kenneth Udo, on the X handle of the NIS.
The increment aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.
The statement reads: “As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the Passport, effective from September 1, 2024.
“Based on the review, a 32-page Passport booklet with 5-year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while a 64-page Passport booklet with 10-year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only.
“While the Nigeria Immigration Service regrets any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants, it assures Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times”.
Travel
FG issues warning to Nigerians planning to visit UK

The Nigerian government on Monday, issued a travel alert to its citizens planning to visit the UK.
This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Minister of Interior, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe.
It noted that “There is an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK.”
It advised Nigerians travelling there to “be extra vigilant and take measures.”
These measures include avoiding political processions, protests, rallies and marches.
Nigerians have also been warned to avoid crowded areas and large gatherings.
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