General News
SAHCOL Seeks Govt’s Support in Developing Africa’s Air Cargo Hub
Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), fastest growing cargo handling company in West Africa, while appreciating the on-going transformation in the nation’s aviation industry also believes that more efforts are needed in the quest to make Nigeria the air cargo hub in Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during the Company’s press conference and facility tour of the ultra-modern cargo warehouse in Lagos, Mr. Oluropo Owolabi, managing director of the Company, said that, the areas that require government’s viz a viz Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attention include expansion of the cargo tarmac, exemption from spare parts wavers as given to airlines, among others.
Owolabi who appreciated the efforts of Princess Stella Oduah, minister of Aviation in moving the industry forward, stressed that the bond that has endeared the government and the private sector to each other should be heightened for the benefit of the country, especially in the nearest future.
“For instance, the expansion of the cargo tarmac will benefit both us the private sector, the clients and the government. There is no how the tarmac will be expanded that it will not increase the revenue of the government,” he noted.
According to him, SAHCOL needs “assistance from FAAN in those areas in order to complement the work the minister had already done. This is to allow us join hands in moving the industry forward.”
He opines that the Cargo tarmac expansion was earlier awarded to a contractor but was left undone,
“When you know there will be much gain for the sector, projects like this should not take the government much time and much money to expand the tarmac. The tarmac needs to be fixed,” the SAHCOL chief stressed.
He added that as investors in the sector and taking into consideration the nature of the cargo job and the equipment on ground, “sometimes we do 45 minutes turn around depending on the needs of our clients.
The minister should assist in ensuring that the waivers is corrected so that there can be improvement on our own part. There is no gain in investing and not having good turnover,” he said.
However, on expanding the cargo business internationally, Owolabi told aviation journalists that the company is willing to expand to an extent where they can operate at any given temperature level, be it raining, sunny or when the weather is dew. “We want to be recognized for the best internationally,” he said.
The MD also showered encomiums on Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, chairman of the company and other board of directors of SAHCOL for assisting the company to reach its present level.
Meanwhile, during a facility tour of on-going 20, 000 sqaure meter warehouse project, by the management of the company, Muhammed Mahmoud, the project supervisor, described the warehouse as will have 18 loading bays, cold room/freezers, among other automated machines to be installed.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that construction of the first phase of the project, apparently, on 15,000 square meter site, started in May 2012.
Federal government has launched Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (C.L.I.C.K.D.), a new consumer credit initiative, to provide affordable financing for locally assembled laptops and other digital devices.
L-R: Mr Uzoma Nwagba, managing director and chief executive officer, CREDICORP, and Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, at the launch
The initiative by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is aimed at equipping Nigerians with the tools needed to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
During the launch, Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described access to credit as critical to improving productivity and driving economic growth.
Dr Tijani said no nation could achieve sustainable development without a strong credit system that enables individuals and businesses to access resources needed to become more productive.
He noted that in today’s digital age, technology has become indispensable for education, innovation and wealth creation.
The minister explained that many talented young Nigerians possess the skills required to succeed in the digital economy but remain constrained by their inability to own computers and other digital tools.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr Tijani recalled how his first laptop as a student in the university opened doors to international opportunities and eventually inspired him to establish one of Nigeria’s pioneering technology hubs.
He said the new programme would ensure that more young Nigerians are not denied similar opportunities because of financial barriers.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by expanding access to technology, boosting productivity and supporting local manufacturing.
Mr Uzoma Nwagba, managing director and chief executive officer, CREDICORP, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future workforce and digital transformation.
Mr Nwagba said that while improvements in internet connectivity and digital skills training have positioned Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, access to devices remains a major challenge preventing many young people from fully participating in the digital economy.
He explained that C.L.I.C.K.D. would bridge that gap by providing affordable consumer credit that enables beneficiaries to acquire laptops and other internet-enabled devices while they develop in-demand digital skills
Federal Government has announced the disbursement of about N333 billion to eight electricity generation companies (GenCos) as part of measures to resolve outstanding debts in the power sector.
The government also disclosed the issuance of a second bond valued at N729 billion to settle verified legacy obligations and improve liquidity within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The disclosures were made on Tuesday at an investors’ forum organised by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc in Abuja.
Government representatives said the latest bond issuance marked the completion of the initial phase of the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, which was designed to address verified liabilities and attract private sector investment across the electricity value chain.
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, said the implementation of the first series of the programme demonstrated the administration’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations and improving investor confidence.
Verheijen disclosed that the Federal Government in February 2026 allocated about N501 billion under the first tranche of the programme, comprising N300 billion in cash and N201 billion in non-cash bond instruments to offset verified debts owed to power producers.
She said N333 billion had so far been disbursed to eight participating GenCos operating 17 power plants.
According to her, the government also paid the first coupon of about N63.5 billion on the seven-year bond in full on July 14, 2026.
She explained that the payments had enabled generation companies to meet critical obligations to gas suppliers, lenders and operations and maintenance contractors, thereby improving their operational capacity.
“Markets do not reward promises; they reward performance. Capital follows credibility,” Verheijen said.
She added that the second bond series would further strengthen liquidity in the electricity market and create a more stable financial environment capable of attracting long-term private investment.
The Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme is part of broader Federal Government efforts to address challenges affecting electricity generation, distribution and investment in Nigeria’s power sector.
Federal government has launched a N482.4 million investment fund to support 12 tech-enabled Nigerian startups.
The initiative under the federal government of Nigeria’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme was implemented by the Bank of Industry (BoI).
The initiative in a statement said applications have been opened for Growth Lab, a 12-week acceleration programme that will select the 12 tech-enabled Nigerian startups, from the six geopolitical zones, for intensive growth support, investment readiness training, and access to up to $350,000 in funding.
According to Ife Adebayo, national coordinator of the Programme, growth lab was designed to support startups that have achieved early traction and are seeking the expertise, networks, and investment required to scale following the implementation of Founders Lab.
“Growth Lab is the Startup Bridge accelerator programme, designed for startups that have developed an MVP and require structured support to scale. The programme focuses on strengthening venture fundamentals and preparing companies for external investment.
“The programme targets startup founders who are seeking the support, networks, expertise, and investment readiness required to accelerate growth and strengthen their position within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem,” he said.
He added that selected founders will gain access to structured growth support, investment readiness preparation, access to industry experts, market expansion pathways, a $100,000 cash investment (or Naira equivalent) for 7.5% equity upon entering the programme (terms and conditions apply), and up to $250,000 in potential follow-on investment should certain growth conditions be met.
“Eligible startups must be at the post-MVP stage, demonstrate evidence of market validation through users, customers, pilots, partnerships, waitlists or any other demand signals, and be willing to participate fully in the hybrid programme,” he said.
The programme will run as an intensive 12-week hybrid experience, including virtual engagements and two physical weeks in Lagos focused on collaboration, learning, and business growth.
The statement said applications opened on July 15, 2026, and will close on August 19, 2026.
According to him, female founders are strongly encouraged to apply. Selection will be conducted through a clearly defined, merit-based evaluation process aligned with published criteria.
iDICE is a $618 million federal government initiative backed by international lenders to boost the technology and creative sectors.
It provides young entrepreneurs with business skills training, mentorship, and access to capital through funds and accelerator programs like the iDICE Startup Bridge.
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