Tunde Ayeni, a businessman and former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Tunde Ayeni

Ayeni was arraigned on Monday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court on a 17-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of about N8 billion.

The charges were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After the plea was taken, Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC, asked the court for a date for commencement of trial.

Iheanacho urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the date of trial.

Responding, Ahmed Raji, counsel to Ayeni, told the court that the defence filed for bail application today and served the prosecution.

Raji urged the court to grant a short adjournment for the hearing of bail application.

The counsel said the charge sheet was served on the defense on April 23, 2026, during the public holiday.

The counsel appealed to the court to release the defendant to him and Olalekan Ojo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and that he will be available in the next adjourned date.

Jude Onwuegbuzie, the trial judge, adjourned the hearing on the bail application to May 13.

Ayeni was arrested in Abuja on April 24 by the EFCC for investigations into the alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds estimated at N36.5 billion and $30 million, said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to him.

The loans – originally meant for financing marine security, electricity distribution contract, estate development, were allegedly channelled into the acquisition of telecom assets linked to NITEL/MTEL through a NATCOM account.

The commission is also investigating about 12 companies linked to Ayeni, which were allegedly used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturing giants, as part of the working visit of Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to the company’s global headquarters in Toulouse.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to reposition its aviation sector and accelerate the development of a robust and sustainable aerospace ecosystem.

The Minister was accompanied by a high-powered delegation comprising Mahmud Adam Kambari, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Farouk Umar, Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Traffic Management, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mohammed; Michael Chukwu, Director of Air Safety Administration; Chris Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); and Ahmed Abba, Director of Aerodrome & Air Standards, NCAA.

Under the terms of the MoU, Airbus and the Federal Government of Nigeria will collaborate to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s civil aviation ecosystem through targeted support in aviation infrastructure development and human capital enhancement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Festus Keyamo described the agreement as a strategic leap forward for Nigeria’s aviation sector: “We are deeply honored to engage in a long-term partnership with Airbus. This agreement aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerating the development of Nigeria’s aeronautical ecosystem in all its dimensions.”

Also speaking, Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East, emphasized Nigeria’s strategic importance in the global aviation landscape: “Nigeria is at the heart of Africa’s aerospace opportunity, driven by its large population and growing economy. This agreement reflects our shared ambition to scale the civil aviation ecosystem in the country.

By leveraging local talent and infrastructure, we are committed to fostering long-term growth and developing human capability to secure the continent’s aviation future.”

As part of the partnership, Airbus will provide comprehensive technical support, including aviation market intelligence, crew and maintenance training, and advisory services on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations. The collaboration will also explore Nigeria’s potential role in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, while supporting the training and development of the next generation of Nigerian aviation professionals.

This agreement builds on Airbus’ longstanding presence in Africa, supported by a workforce of approximately 3,000 employees across the continent. It reinforces the company’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s aerospace ecosystem through local partnerships, skills development, and the advancement of technical expertise.

According to Airbus’s latest Global Market Forecast, Africa is projected to require approximately 1,490 new passenger and cargo aircraft by 2044. Furthermore, demand for skilled aviation personnel is expected to surge significantly, with the continent needing over 20,000 pilots, 20,000 maintenance engineers, and 21,000 cabin crew members to meet anticipated growth in air travel.

The MoU represents a bold step toward positioning Nigeria as a leading aviation hub in Africa, while unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement in the aerospace sector.

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) successfully convened its 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM), bringing together key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s internet, technology, and business ecosystem following the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja.

The meeting, marked by robust participation from members, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives, centred on NiRA’s continued performance, strategic direction, and the imperative of deepening Nigeria’s digital identity through the .ng country code top-level domain (ccTLD).

Attendees at the AGM gave a resounding commendation to NiRA’s leadership and management team for their steadfast commitment to managing and sustaining the .ng domain registry. Members praised the Association for delivering operational excellence, maintaining registry stability, and driving meaningful growth in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

NiRA was specifically recognised for its efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem providing a secure, reliable, and trusted infrastructure that underpins online identities for businesses, institutions, and individuals across the country.

Members highlighted the Association’s resilience in the face of global and local headwinds, noting that its consistent performance has reinforced confidence in Nigeria’s internet governance framework.

Stakeholders reaffirmed the strategic importance of the .ng domain as more than a technical resource it is a sovereign national asset and a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital identity. With Nigeria ranking among Africa’s largest internet markets, the .ng domain represents a critical enabler of economic growth, digital commerce, and institutional credibility.

The AGM underscored that every Nigerian business, public institution, and innovator operating online has both an opportunity and a responsibility to adopt the .ng domain as their primary digital address reinforcing national identity while contributing to the growth of a locally anchored internet ecosystem.

A significant outcome of the AGM was a unified call from stakeholders for stronger policy intervention to drive the adoption of .ng domains among Nigerian businesses. Participants emphasised that organic growth, while encouraging, must be complemented by deliberate institutional frameworks that make .ng the default choice for new and existing businesses.

Stakeholders specifically called for enhanced collaboration between NiRA and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), urging the integration of .ng domain registration into the business incorporation and renewal process. Such alignment, members argued, would create a seamless pathway for businesses to establish their digital presence under a Nigerian domain from inception.

Additional recommendations included the development of government-backed policy frameworks that incentivise .ng adoption, the creation of regulatory guidelines that recognise .ng as a standard for digital credibility, and public sector leadership in adopting .ng domains to signal confidence in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

Executive Perspectives

Mr. Adesola Akinsanya; President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), said: “.ng is more than a domain it is Nigeria’s digital identity. Our focus remains on strengthening trust, driving adoption, and ensuring that Nigeria fully benefits from its internet ecosystem. Every organisation that registers under .ng is not just building a website; they are investing in the sovereignty and credibility of Nigeria’s presence in the global digital economy.”

Mrs. Oluwaseyi Onasanya; Chief Operating Officer (COO), NiRA, noted:  “We have continued to build a resilient and secure registry that supports businesses, innovators, and institutions across Nigeria. Our priority is to deepen adoption, expand our stakeholder base, and create greater value throughout the .ng ecosystem. The growth trajectory we are on reflects the hard work of our team and the trust our members continue to place in us.”

Mr. Biyi Oladipo; Member, Board of Trustees, NiRA, stated: “The Nigeria Internet Registration Association as a model multi-stakeholder institution that has sustained effective collaboration with government over the years. He noted that this approach reflects a strong and successful framework, positioning Nigeria more prominently on the global digital map.”

Mr. Muhammed Rudman; Past President, NiRA, said: “Adoption of .ng among new businesses must be driven through policy and institutional alignment. The frameworks already exist what is needed is coordinated political will and cross-agency collaboration to translate intent into action,”

Looking ahead, NiRA outlined an ambitious agenda focused on expanding public awareness of the value of .ng domains, deepening partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector, and accelerating digital economy participation among Nigerian businesses.

The Association reaffirmed its commitment to investing in infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, and stakeholder education ensuring that the .ng registry remains a world-class, trusted foundation for Nigeria’s digital future. NiRA also signalled its intent to lead strategic conversations at regional and continental levels, positioning Nigeria as a model for internet governance in Africa.

As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation agenda, NiRA stands as a steadfast pillar in the nation’s internet ecosystem. The Association’s unwavering commitment to excellence, governance, and stakeholder value positions it not only as the custodian of Nigeria’s domain registry, but as a strategic partner in building a prosperous, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy.

NiRA remains resolute in its mission to drive .ng adoption, champion internet governance, and ensure that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure continues to serve as a launchpad for innovation, investment, and national development.