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Passengers stranded over fresh Nigeria-UAE row

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The fate of thousands of passengers was in the balance Sunday over the ban on Emirates flights from Nigeria, which takes effect from today (Monday).

In a new directive, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier is allowed to only operate one flight per week to Nigeria against 21 flights earlier approved by the federal government.

The government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Thursday withdrew the winter schedule comprising 21 frequencies; 14 to Lagos and one to Abuja, approved for Emirates.

This was in retaliation for the refusal of the UAE authorities at Sharjah Airport to approve the three slots applied for by Air Peace, the sole Nigerian carrier operating Dubai via Sharjah.

In a similar retaliatory move, the federal government has indicated desire to ban flights from United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Argentina over their red-listing of Nigeria. This action, oberserves believe, will further aggravate woes of travellers. 

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The latest diplomatic fiasco between Nigeria and UAE was coming a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari paid a visit to the country.

Buhari had attended the Expo 2020 in Dubai where he was received on arrival by his highness, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

But barely a week after Buhari’s visit which coincided with the resumption of Emirates flights to Nigeria after more than nine months due to another row over COVID-19 protocols, both nations are at daggers drawn again.

This time around, the federal government, in a retaliatory move and the application of the principle of reciprocity contained in the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two countries, imposed a ban on Emirates Airline.

The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, who gave an insight into the development said Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, had “graciously approved the winter schedule as requested by Emirates without any hindrance or arrival slot requirement in the spirit and intent of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and UAE.

“The Honourable Minister of Aviation decided to apply the principle of reciprocity and withdraw the approval of the winter schedule given to Emirates Airline and instead approved one weekly flight frequency to Abuja on Thursday.”

But the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE had written to the minister protesting the action of NCAA, saying it was against the spirit of BASAs between the two countries and that the action was unjustified.

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UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA Board, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, in a letter dated December 10, 2021, disclosed that Air Peace abandoned its slots in Sharjah and moved to Dubai Airport and sought to shift to Sharjah again.

In a statement, Air Peace management described the minister’s claim as untrue.

Daily Trust, however, reports that the festering diplomatic row has created confusion again in the travel industry as many passengers who have booked on Emirates and Air Peace are uncertain about their flight schedules.

Findings by our correspondent yesterday indicate that Emirates airlifts an average of about 300 passengers daily on each flight to Dubai using its wide-bodied A380 aircraft.

With three daily flights, an estimated 1,000 passengers are currently stranded, uncertain of the status of their flights from today (Monday) while other passengers are exploring alternative flights.

Investigations revealed that many passengers have approached their travel agents for refund in the wake of Emirates’ flight suspension.

A passenger who was to travel on an Emirates flight on Monday had to explore an alternative airline, paying over N500,000 to travel via Lufthansa.

Among those stranded are businessmen, students and others, among them those said to be going for medical reasons.

“I had to book another flight on Lufthansa travelling through Brazil just to connect Dubai because the various restrictions across the world have made travel very difficult for everybody because you have to travel via a destination, not on the red list.

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“But I must be in Dubai by all means and that has cost me an extra N500,000. How many people can afford this,” the passenger, a student who preferred anonymity, said.

The Vice-President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Abuja Zone, Ambassador Adeshola Kayode, lamented that millions of naira have been lost and businesses affected as a result of the current imbroglio.

“We have lost millions, clients have started requesting refunds and some of these tickets are not refundable and for those that have refunds, it will take time to process,” he said.

He however said the federal government’s decision was a welcome development to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

He said, “It is a challenging one because as some of us are aware, we have been on this issue for a while now, for over 10 months. When we heard that the ban had been lifted, we were happy. All of a sudden, our clients were about to travel until the shocking news came again.

“To us, I think the response of the Minister of Aviation and the DG of NCAA is a welcome idea because it is high time that we as an industry and as a country began to respond to such countries because they see us as an unserious nation and they can just throw anything at us.

“Like what happened when the British government put us on the red list. We as professionals have been discussing that the next thing the government should do is to put the UK and those countries on the red list as well.”

Other stakeholders said the development provided an avenue for Nigeria to review its BASAs in a way that would be commercially beneficial to the country.

A former president of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engr. Isaac Balami, said Emirates and other foreign airlines should begin to respect Nigeria.

“They should begin to take us seriously. When we didn’t fly into the country, we did not die. They must begin to respect Africa, most importantly Nigeria.

“I commend the minister and the DG for this bold step and I pray that we will continue in that trajectory, not just Emirates but any other person who will not respect and honour Nigeria.

“When Emirates solves the problem and makes Air Peace happy, we will also make them happy.”

Mr. Chris Aligbe, CEO Belujane Konzult, said, “For the first time Nigeria is giving an appropriate response. What Nigeria has done is the standard thing that should be done, the principle of absolute reciprocity and that is what happens in airline operation in the relationship between nations. Nigeria should be applauded.”

Meanwhile, the federal government is set to announce a ban on travellers and airlines from Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Argentina if they do not take Nigeria off their red list.

Minister of Aviation Senator. Hadi Sirika, who dropped the hint on Saturday in a leaked audio clip, said his ministry and the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 have reached an agreement on the decision. 

He said those countries will be on the red list no later than Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

He said the PSC had met and reviewed the various travel bans placed on Nigerian citizens to those countries and concluded that the ban was unacceptable.

“There is also the case of Saudi Arabia, which put Nigeria on the banned list. No visa, travels into that county and so also Canada and the United Kingdom. And so today there was a zoom meeting by the COVID-19 Task Force, which I participated in.

“We have said the ban isn’t acceptable by us and recommend that Canada, UK, Saudi Arabia and Argentina be also on the red list,” he explained.

He indicated that if they didn’t allow Nigerian citizens to get into their country, their airlines and citizens shouldn’t come to Nigeria either.

“I’m very sure between now and Monday, perhaps Tuesday maximum, all those countries will be on the red list from the Task Force on COVID-19. Once they are put on red-list, their airlines will also be banned,” he said.

Daily Trust

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Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

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Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

 

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised distributor of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has launched the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, a nationwide emergency roadside assistance programme aimed at providing prompt and professional support to motorists stranded by vehicle breakdowns on highways and major roads across the country.

The 24-hour rescue service, which is available through a dedicated emergency hotline, reinforces the company’s commitment to enhancing vehicle ownership by ensuring that trained rescue professionals are on standby to respond to emergencies whenever they occur.

The auto firm says motorists in need of assistance can reach the CarlohaCare Rescue Team by calling 07000 667 667, after which a professionally trained crew will be dispatched to provide support.

While response times would depend on location and road accessibility, the company assured that every distress call would receive professional attention.

The rescue programme is the latest addition to Carloha Nigeria’s award-winning CarlohaCare 6-6-7 aftersales package, which earned the company the Most Outstanding Aftersales Car Company award at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards.

The package offers a six-year manufacturer’s warranty, six years of free scheduled maintenance and a seven-day repair promise.

Under the repair guarantee, customers are provided with a courtesy vehicle if repairs extend beyond seven working days due to parts availability or other qualifying circumstances.

The new rescue initiative now takes that commitment beyond the workshop to the roadside.

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Speaking on the development, Carloha Nigeria’s After-sales Manager, Samson Akinbowale, said the initiative was designed to give motorists greater confidence by ensuring help is always within reach.

“Vehicle breakdowns can occur unexpectedly and often create stressful situations for motorists. With the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, our customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that a dedicated team of trained professionals is available around the clock to provide prompt assistance whenever they need it,” he said.

Akinbowale added that the programme also includes on-location maintenance support to minimise vehicle downtime for both individual motorists and fleet operators.

Also speaking, the company’s General Manager, Marketing, Felix Mahan, described the initiative as another milestone in Carloha Nigeria’s customer-focused strategy.

“The CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative is an extension of our vision to provide a superior ownership experience and eliminate the worries that come with vehicle ownership. We want every Chery owner to know that help is always just a phone call away,” Mahan said.

In a move the company described as an industry first in Nigeria, Carloha Nigeria announced that for a limited period, the free roadside rescue service would also be available to owners of non-Chery vehicles, subject to operational capacity. Chery owners, however, will continue to receive priority during periods of high demand.

According to Mahan, the decision reflects the company’s commitment to improving road safety and supporting the wider motoring community.

“We have the team, the trucks and the expertise. When our rescue fleet has spare capacity, it is our responsibility to deploy those resources to keep Nigeria’s roads moving, regardless of the vehicle brand. By extending this service beyond our customers, we are contributing to safer roads and setting a new benchmark for aftersales support in the Nigerian automotive industry,” he said.

Non-Chery motorists requiring assistance can call the same emergency hotline to confirm eligibility at the time of request. The company also advised motorists to follow its official social media platforms and website for updates on service availability and coverage areas.

Beyond emergency rescue and towing, the initiative provides on-location maintenance and technical support for individual motorists and fleet operators, where applicable. Carloha Nigeria said the service is expected to reduce workshop visits, minimise vehicle downtime and give motorists greater peace of mind on Nigerian roads.

 

Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

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Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

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Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has officially transitioned to United States dollar-denominated sales of refined petroleum products, ending naira-based transactions for most products and introducing a new pricing regime expected to significantly influence fuel prices, petroleum marketers and Nigeria’s deregulated downstream oil sector.

Under the new pricing template, which took effect on Monday, July 13, 2026, the refinery fixed the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, at $0.779 per litre. It also pegged the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, at $1.087 per litre, while aviation fuel (Jet A-1) will now sell at $0.942 per litre. Coastal deliveries of petrol have also been priced at $1,044.62 per metric tonne.

The development marks one of the most significant commercial policy changes by the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, effectively ending the naira-denominated fuel sales introduced under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative, which commenced on October 1, 2024, to encourage domestic refining, reduce pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves and stabilise fuel prices.

In a circular issued to petroleum marketers and customers, the refinery announced that all previously issued naira-denominated Proforma Invoices (PFIs) and Deal Recaps for both gantry and coastal transactions had become invalid following the transition to dollar transactions.

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The notice, signed by the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations, instructed customers not to make payments against any cancelled naira invoices, stating that all future purchases would be settled exclusively in United States dollars.

According to the refinery, the revised pricing structure applies to petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, while Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) remains exempt and will continue under its existing payment arrangement.

Industry experts say the transition reflects changing commercial realities facing the refinery, particularly the increasing use of dollar-denominated crude oil supply contracts.

Sources familiar with the development explained that although the refinery previously sold a substantial volume of its refined petroleum products in naira, a growing percentage of the crude oil it processes is now being purchased in dollars.

The resulting mismatch between procurement costs and sales revenue reportedly exposed the refinery to significant foreign exchange risks, especially amid persistent volatility in global crude oil prices and fluctuations in the naira exchange rate.

One senior industry source said the imbalance had become increasingly difficult to sustain.

“Dangote Refinery is receiving fewer naira-denominated crude cargoes while more crude supplies are being paid for in dollars. Continuing to sell refined products largely in naira created significant exchange-rate exposure that became commercially unsustainable.”

Energy analysts believe the refinery’s latest decision aligns its operations with international petroleum trading standards, where crude oil and refined petroleum products are predominantly traded in US dollars.

They note that the new policy is expected to improve the refinery’s financial stability by reducing exchange-rate losses while enhancing its competitiveness in regional and international export markets.

However, the move is also expected to have important implications for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

Since independent marketers and bulk distributors will now purchase products in dollars, foreign exchange movements are expected to play a more direct role in determining wholesale fuel prices.

Although the refinery has introduced dollar benchmark prices, industry stakeholders emphasise that Nigerians will continue to buy petrol at filling stations in naira.

Retail pump prices will therefore depend on several variables, including the prevailing naira-to-dollar exchange rate, international crude oil prices, transportation and logistics costs, depot charges, regulatory fees, taxes and marketers’ operating margins.

The policy shift has also reignited debate over the future of the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude programme, which was designed to encourage domestic refining, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and conserve scarce foreign exchange.

Industry observers say the effectiveness of the policy has weakened in recent months as increasing volumes of crude supplied to local refiners gradually reverted to dollar-based transactions.

Some analysts argue that unless crude oil allocations to domestic refineries are consistently supplied under naira-based arrangements, maintaining naira-denominated fuel sales may become increasingly difficult.

Since commencing commercial production, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has rapidly become Nigeria’s largest producer and supplier of refined petroleum products, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.

The refinery has also expanded exports to several African countries, positioning Nigeria as an emerging regional refining hub.

Market analysts believe the transition to dollar pricing further integrates the refinery into the global petroleum market and reinforces the growing influence of international oil prices and exchange-rate stability on domestic fuel costs.

While marketers are expected to adjust to the new commercial framework, economists say exchange-rate management will now play an even more critical role in determining the affordability of fuel for Nigerian consumers.

The latest development underscores the increasing importance of macroeconomic stability, foreign exchange liquidity and crude oil supply arrangements in shaping the future of Nigeria’s deregulated petroleum market.

Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

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Keyamo releases CCTV footage, challenges Peter Obi’s persecution claims

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Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video
Festus Keyamo and Peter Obi

Keyamo releases CCTV footage, challenges Peter Obi’s persecution claims

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has asked the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, to publicly apologise to airport officials and pay a ₦25,000 parking fine over an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, warning that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) could take further action if he fails to comply within one week.

The minister issued the warning after ordering an internal investigation into Obi’s allegation that officials at the Abuja airport harassed him as part of what he described as political persecution by the Federal Government.

In a statement released on Friday night, Keyamo said the investigation relied on footage from the airport’s 24-hour Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system, which he said captured the entire sequence of events that led to the clamping of the vehicle conveying Obi.

According to the minister, the CCTV footage showed that on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Obi arrived at the domestic wing of the airport at about 8:28 p.m. in a vehicle driven by a police officer.

He said Obi and two other occupants immediately entered the terminal building, while the police officer parked the vehicle in the designated drop-off area before leaving it unattended and entering the terminal, contrary to airport regulations.

Keyamo explained that the drop-off zone is designed only for brief passenger drop-offs and that drivers are required to remain inside their vehicles at all times while using the area.

He said leaving any vehicle unattended within the zone constitutes a security risk and violates internationally accepted airport safety procedures.

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According to the minister, the police driver briefly returned to the vehicle at about 8:32 p.m. to retrieve an item before leaving it unattended again.

He said airport security personnel subsequently clamped the tyres of the vehicle after observing that it had remained unattended in the restricted area.

Keyamo stressed that airport officials who carried out the enforcement action did not know the vehicle belonged to Obi because there was no occupant inside when it was clamped.

The minister alleged that after the police officer discovered the vehicle had been immobilised, he contacted Obi, who then spoke directly with the airport manager and requested that the vehicle be released.

According to Keyamo, the vehicle was eventually released without payment of the prescribed ₦25,000 fine for violating airport parking regulations.

He argued that the matter had effectively been resolved until Obi later publicly alleged that he had been deliberately targeted by airport authorities because of his political status.

“As Minister of Aviation, I felt a moral duty to investigate and authenticate the claim made by Mr Peter Obi that the tyres of his car were unjustly clamped, suggesting a persecution agenda against him by the Federal Government,” Keyamo said.

“Luckily enough, the entire Abuja airport is covered by CCTV cameras operating 24 hours a day.”

The minister maintained that the footage contradicted Obi’s account and showed that airport officials merely enforced established security regulations applicable to every airport user, regardless of status or political affiliation.

He further alleged that Obi used his influence to secure the release of the vehicle without paying the required fine and later attempted to portray the enforcement action as political persecution.

Keyamo therefore demanded that Obi publicly apologise to airport workers whom he said were unfairly accused of victimising the former Anambra State governor.

He also asked Obi to voluntarily return to the airport and pay the ₦25,000 parking penalty.

According to the minister, failure to comply within one week would leave him with no option but to direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take appropriate administrative action.

“If these demands are not met within one week, I will be giving the necessary directives to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take the next steps against him,” he stated.

The controversy began after Obi alleged that airport officials clamped the vehicle conveying him while other improperly parked vehicles were left untouched.

The former Anambra State governor argued that the action reflected selective enforcement and formed part of a broader pattern of intimidation directed at opposition figures.

Obi also expressed concern over what he described as the shrinking democratic space in Nigeria and urged public institutions to remain impartial in carrying out their responsibilities.

As of the time of filing this report, Obi had not publicly responded to Keyamo’s latest statement, the CCTV footage released by the Ministry of Aviation or the minister’s demands for an apology and payment of the parking fine.

The incident has generated widespread debate across political and public circles, with supporters of both men offering differing interpretations of the CCTV footage and the circumstances surrounding the enforcement action.

While some observers argue that airport regulations should be applied equally to every Nigerian without regard to political status, others have called for an independent review to determine whether the enforcement process was carried out fairly and consistently.

The development has further intensified political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general election, with analysts saying the dispute reflects the increasingly charged political atmosphere as parties prepare for the next presidential contest.

Attention is now focused on whether Obi will respond to the minister’s ultimatum or whether FAAN will proceed with any formal administrative measures over the incident.

Keyamo releases CCTV footage, challenges Peter Obi’s persecution claims

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