General News
Pilots, Engineers Ask Airlines to Merge
Pilots and engineers have advised Nigerian airline operators to consider mergers, acquisition, collaboration (code sharing), and the likes to save the industry from collapse.
Rising from their recent 13th National Delegates Conference, the stakeholders under the auspices of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), berated the operators for the allowing “go-it-alone syndrome” to becloud their senses of judgments, shunning the noble call for merges for a healthy system.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that at the inception of the present administration, Princess Stella Oduah, minister of Aviation, said that with a view to strengthening operations and enhanced air safety of the nation’s airlines, the federal government was tinkering on a policy that could lead to two or more airlines to merge.
This came, as indications emerged that virtually all the carriers in the country were financially insolvent and heavily indebted to a staggering $5 billion.
Thus, the federal government is likely to raise the stake that would make it difficult to “go it alone’’, and could leave the operators with no other option than to merge as it is being done in Europe, United States and Asia.
It could be recalled that Air France in 2004 merged with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, changing the operating name to Air France-KLM, however they still operate as separate airlines.
In a communiqué signed by Ocheme Aba, general secretary (NAAPE), the group advised the Nigerian airline operators, “to accept wise counsel and co-operate with each other by way of mergers, acquisition, collaboration (code sharing), and the like, in other to succeed, as against the present go-it-alone syndrome which has failed woefully”.
Mr. Zemedeneh Negatu, a key note speaker at the conference had raised the issue, supporting the formation of about two big carriers from the whole lot of airlines in Nigeria.
According to him, the gesture will enable them (the airline operators) compete with the mega carriers in the global market.
“To do otherwise will only prolong the current miserable state of Nigeria Airlines,” he said.
At the end of the 2-day event, and after extensive deliberations, the conference notes the experience of Ethiopian Airline whereby the involvement of all stakeholders at its conception is given as a principal ingredient for its success story today.
Accordingly, the Conference advises the Federal Government, through minister of Aviation, to involve all stakeholders in important aviation policy decisions, particularly, ongoing processes to foster a National Carrier and the aerotropolis project.
“This is the only way to guarantee success of the ventures. NAAPE therefore makes itself available in this regard.
However, the delegates note with delight the transformation taking place in the aviation sector and gives kudos to the Hon. Minister of Aviation and her team.
“The Conference commends the Aviation Roadmap, new airport terminals (delivered and to be delivered), the aerotropolis concept, aviation policy review, airside development, etc, and expresses hope that the effort will be sustained.
On the sideline of Unionism, “the Conference”, Aba highlighted, “seriously frowned at those aviation companies including Arik Air, IRS Airlines, Med-view Airlines, Dana Air, Chanchangi Airline, etc that have disallowed their workers from being members of the Union, contrary to the provisions of Labour Law. The Conference is of the view that non-unionization hinders human capacity development and holds back NAAPE’s effort to place Nigerian aviation industry on the global stage”.
“Therefore, the conference mandates the National Administrative Council (NAC) to use all lawful means to ensure that all working Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are fully unionized. It should, however, be clearly stated that the notion which depicts Union as a foe is a misconception. As a matter of fact, NAAPE has been, and remains a worthy partner committed to the progress of aviation companies.
“The Conference mandates the National Administration Council to immediately set the machinery in motion to stamp out all abuses in the expatriate quota regime to ensure that Nigerian Pilots and Engineers are gainfully employed and also to enhance human capacity growth in the sector. The Conference also is of the opinion that the expatriate quota regime should be amended to contain provisions which make it mandatory for any foreigner intending to work in Nigeria to obtain a Labour certificate issued in consultation with the Union, after being satisfied that such foreigner would not usurp the job meant for Nigerians”.
The pilots and engineers also enjoined aviation companies and parastatals to take the issue of corporate governance very seriously as the absence of corporate governance is at the heart of the current poor financial health of organizations in the sector.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has launched a digital platform to attract local and international investors to Nigeria’s sub-national infrastructure projects and close the country’s estimated $100 billion annual financing gap.
Unveiled in Abuja, Investopedia will serve as a transparent “one-stop shop” for investment opportunities across Nigeria’s 36 states, said the forum, offering detailed project information and clear entry points for prospective investors.
NGF chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, described the initiative as a “strategic tool to unlock Nigeria’s full potential by mobilising global and African capital for critical infrastructure”.
He stressed that the platform should be seen as more than an investment catalogue, but a gateway that combines opportunities with guidance and institutional oversight.
Investopedia is backed by partnerships with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
NGF director-general, Abdulateef Shittu, hailed the launch as a “new dawn” for sub-national investment readiness, noting that Nigeria attracted only $1.87 billion in foreign direct investment in 2023, well below Africa’s average.
By curating a pipeline of bankable projects, he said the platform would boost investor confidence and expand Nigeria’s global visibility.
Shittu added that beyond financing, the platform would foster technical partnerships, capacity-building, and risk mitigation, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.
“This is about more than funding, it is about actionable, bankable projects that will drive jobs, inclusive growth, and long-term prosperity,” he said.
IHS Nigeria has partnered with the Osun State Government on Osun Teacher-Shift 2025, a programme aimed at transforming technical and vocational school teachers into digital-ready educators capable of driving innovation in classrooms.
The IHS Nigeria sponsored initiative, implemented by Focus Teens Foundation in collaboration with the Osun State Board of Technical and Vocational Education, targets about 200 teachers across the State’s nine technical colleges. The training will run in batches over a two-day period, with participants expected to acquire modern skills, and innovative teaching techniques.
Speaking at the opening ceremony which held in Osogbo yesterday, Titilope Oguntuga, Director of Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, explained that the project was developed to prepare teachers for the opportunities and challenges of a fast-evolving world.
She said, “Today is not just the launch of a programme — it is the beginning of a movement. This is more than training, it is a mindset shift. It is about rethinking how we prepare teachers, students, and our communities for the opportunities and challenges of a fast-evolving world.”
Oguntuga emphasised that teachers remain at the centre of national development but face increasing demands to inspire creativity, nurture innovation, and equip young people with practical and technology-driven skills.
She noted that the initiative also reflects IHS Nigeria’s four sustainability pillars — ethics and governance, environment and climate change, people and communities, and education and economic growth.
The IHS official said, “education remains the strongest catalyst for national development. But we cannot achieve this without empowering the people who will empower the next generation. With this programme, teachers and beneficiaries from the nine technical colleges will begin to think more innovatively and incorporate new systems that support STEM for the advancement of our nation.”
Oguntuga added that each school would be given routers with one year subscription.
Adedapo Ademola-Adesina, Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Vocational Education, noted that the State Government believes in private sector collaboration to achieve its goals for technical and vocational education, leading to the partnership with IHS Nigeria.
“We must begin by changing the mindset of our teachers. They are the ones who shape future leaders. That is why we tagged the program “Osun Teacher-Shift 2025” — shifting from the old ways to new digital teaching”, he said.
Also speaking, Sunday Eluwole, the Osun State Commissioner for Education, acknowledged that the training was both timely and necessary, saying; “this is the 21st century, and Nigeria cannot be left behind. Our schools, teachers, and classrooms must be digitalised. Teachers must first be trained in digital methods before they can pass the knowledge on to students.”
Eluwole added that Osun State, which has the highest number of technical colleges in the Country, is committed to making its schools models of digital and vocational learning.
Earlier, Muritala Jimoh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that Osun State teachers are ready to shift. Jimoh noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke is prioritising teachers’ welfare in the state, hence their readiness to embrace the shift.
He called on teachers to reciprocate government’s efforts by making their minds flexible to change.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airlines operating in the country to ensure that passengers completely switch off their mobile phones during aircraft take-off and landing.
Michael Achimugu, director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCCA, disclosed the directive in a post on X on Tuesday.
He said the measure was part of a harmonisation of existing rules on the use of electronic devices onboard.
“Henceforth, the regulation per phones and other electronic devices in Nigeria has been unified: ALL PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF DURING THE CRITICAL ASPECTS OF TAKE-OFF AND LANDING,” Achimugu wrote.
“All airlines must amend their security programmes to reflect this if different in their current programmes. No more airplane mode until regulations are reviewed to reflect evolving technological situations.”
The directive means that all airlines will have to adjust their operational manuals and cabin crew instructions to enforce the policy.
Reactions to the announcement have been mixed on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the relevance of the rule in light of advances in aircraft technology and onboard connectivity.
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