Business
FAAN and NAQS Join Forces to Enhance Agricultural Exports via Air

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration with the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, has established a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) to improve and streamline the export of agricultural products through Nigeria’s airports.
This partnership was reinforced during a recent visit by the newly established Directorate of Cargo Development Services at FAAN, led by Mr. Lekan Thomas, to the NAQS headquarters in Abuja. Dr. Vincent Isegbe warmly welcomed the FAAN delegation, reflecting the mutual commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s agro-export capabilities.
Mr. Thomas emphasized the critical role of the newly created cargo directorate in driving the growth of air cargo within Nigeria, thereby contributing significantly to the national economy. He expressed the directorate’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leading agricultural exporter in Africa.
During the meeting, the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, led by Mr. Ikechi Uko, presented a detailed export framework aimed at streamlining the process of exporting agricultural products via Nigerian airports. The proposed framework includes a five-step process beginning with the registration of farms with NAQS or the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
The process involves a registered known shipper aggregating the produce, followed by a regulated agent ensuring compliance with export standards. A licensed handling company, preferably one with RA3 certification, manages the final stage before export. Before clearance by the airline, NAQS, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Customs, will inspect the goods to ensure traceability and reduce the risk of rejection in international markets.
Mr. Uko acknowledged the logistical challenges, particularly in transporting produce from farms to airports, and stressed the need for a robust cold chain infrastructure and stringent contamination prevention measures. He also highlighted the importance of converting unknown goods into known goods through agent licensing at various levels within the export ecosystem.
Mr. Thomas underscored the importance of strict licensing, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and service level agreements (SLAs) for all stakeholders in the export value chain. He mentioned that the cargo directorate is actively working on initiatives to address these critical issues.
In response, the Comptroller General of NAQS expressed strong support for the partnership and outlined the agency’s existing SOPs for exporters. He revealed that NAQS has developed comprehensive guidelines for exporting various agricultural products from Nigeria and sought FAAN’s support to overcome the challenges in fulfilling its mandate.
The meeting concluded with an agreement between FAAN, the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, and NAQS to conduct trial exports from four selected airports using the developed framework. These trials, scheduled for October or November, will involve NAQS-registered farms in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Jos, with the support of the respective state governments.
Business
CBN expresses commitment to FX Code

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, stating that its operations align with the principles of the code.
In a statement signed by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy Mohammad Abdullahi, and Director of the Financial Markets Department Dr. Omolara Duke, the apex bank emphasized that its decision follows a review of the FX Global Code and recognition that the code represents a set of principles widely acknowledged as good practice in the foreign exchange market.
The statement confirmed that the CBN acts as a regulator to market participants as defined by the code and is committed to overseeing FX market activities in a manner consistent with its principles.
“To this end, the Bank has taken appropriate steps, based on the size and complexity of the FX Market, and therefore aligns its roles with the principles of the Code,” the statement added.
Business
FG launches electronic asset register to boost investment

The Federal Government has launched a national electronic assets register to provide real-time access to information on government-owned assets, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more investments into the country.
The digital registry was introduced by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, during an event that also featured the unveiling of a compendium of FAAC allocations to federal, state, and local governments from 2020 to 2023.
Madein described the initiative as a major milestone in improving public resource management, emphasizing that it is essential for financial sustainability and integrity. She stated that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling public funds and assets.
She noted that giving citizens access to information about public asset management would increase government accountability. “Whether it is infrastructure, equipment, or other public property, every asset must be accounted for,” she said.
The real-time access provided by the digital register is expected to support policy formulation, budgeting, and planning. Madein explained that by having a clear understanding of the government’s assets and their conditions, policymakers can make more informed decisions on resource allocation, investment management, and potential privatisation or public-private partnerships (PPPs) for underutilized assets.
She added that the initiative also aligns with international best practices, supporting Nigeria’s adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These standards will help strengthen the credibility and integrity of the country’s financial statements.
On the compendium of FAAC allocations, Madein stated that it provides a detailed breakdown of revenue distribution to the three tiers of government and serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who officially unveiled the compendium, praised the Accountant General’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability. She described the electronic asset register as an important tool that will help determine the real value of Nigeria’s assets and create opportunities for local and foreign investment.
Business
Tariff increase will push available power generation to 7,000MW — Minister

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the proposed electricity tariff increase will help boost Nigeria’s available power generation capacity to 7,000 megawatts (MW). This comes after the country recorded its highest-ever available power generation of 6,003MW and a peak evacuation of 5,801.84MW last week.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasized that tariff regularization is crucial for unlocking the sector’s full potential and sustaining ongoing improvements in power generation and distribution.
“To sustain these improvements, the government would have to pay down the tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and address legacy debts of N2 trillion to the GENCOs,” the minister said. He added that continued tariff reforms are necessary to ensure that consumers start paying for the energy they consume.
Adelabu reiterated the government’s intention to raise electricity tariffs for customers in Bands B, C, and D as part of efforts to enhance the sector’s liquidity and reduce subsidy obligations. The planned tariff hike is expected to narrow the gap between Band A customers—who currently pay higher rates—and those in lower bands.
The minister noted that Nigeria recently set another milestone with a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), attributing these achievements to ongoing reforms and infrastructural upgrades in the sector.
“We are thrilled to announce these historic milestones in Nigeria’s power sector,” Adelabu stated. “These achievements represent a brighter future where businesses can thrive, households can enjoy uninterrupted power supply, and the economy can grow sustainably.”
According to the minister, recent improvements result from collaborative efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power and key stakeholders to address longstanding challenges in the sector. These include the rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, implementation of innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, and policy reforms aimed at improving accountability and sustainability.
While celebrating these milestones, Adelabu called for continued support from state governments, private sector stakeholders, and the general public. He stressed the need for collective action to sustain the momentum and build upon the progress made.
With power generation at a record high and tariff reforms on the horizon, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s electricity supply will see lasting improvements, ensuring stable and reliable power for businesses and households nationwide.
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