Business

NCAA fines Saudi Airlines ₦6 million for alleged violations

Published

2 months ago

June 26, 2026

Preport

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA.jpg

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines for what it described as consumer-protection-related violations.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, disclosed this on Friday.

Mr Achimugu stated that the sanction became necessary after the airline failed to resolve several outstanding consumer issues, despite repeated interventions by the regulator and an extended period granted for compliance.

According to him, the NCAA had previously stepped in to support the airline in managing a situation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja a few months ago that could have escalated into violence.

He noted that the authority had also given Saudi Airlines additional time to address pending complaints and comply with the regulator’s determinations, but the airline failed to meet its obligations.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has sanctioned Saudi Airlines to the tune of ₦6 million for consumer protection-related infractions,” Mr Achimugu said.

He explained that the enforcement action was taken to ensure compliance with Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, which outlines the rights of air passengers and the responsibilities of airlines operating in the country.

The NCAA expressed hope that the sanction would encourage the airline to improve its operations in Nigeria and strengthen its commitment to passenger welfare.

Mr Achimugu emphasised that passengers travelling to and from Nigeria deserve to be treated fairly and with respect by all airlines operating in the country.

READ ALSO: NCAA Championships: Ogazi shatters records, Ajayi strikes gold as Nigerians shine in Eugene

He added that while the authority would continue to support Saudi Airlines and other carriers to operate efficiently, it would not hesitate to enforce regulatory standards where necessary to protect consumers.

Saudi Airlines had yet to respond to the NCAA’s sanctions as of the time of filing this report.

Related Topics:Airlines alleged fines million NCAA Saudi violations

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Business

Nigeria Records 65,000 Suspected Cholera Cases, Over 10,000 Diphtheria Cases

Published

10 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Preport

Nigeria is facing significant outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria, with more than 65,000 suspected cholera cases recorded across 35 states and about 195 Local Government Areas. More than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases have also been reported in 2026.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed the figures in Abuja while providing an update on the country’s response to both outbreaks.

The NCDC has intensified disease surveillance and deployed National Rapid Response Teams to affected states, including Borno, which has recorded the highest number of cholera cases. Teams are investigating transmission sources and assessing water, sanitation and chlorination gaps.

To control cholera, authorities are bringing treatment closer to affected communities while expanding oral rehydration points, strengthening treatment centres, improving water chlorination and conducting oral cholera vaccination in high-burden areas.

The response to diphtheria is focused on reactive vaccination, early detection and treatment, particularly in Kano, Borno and Bauchi, where cases remain concentrated. Healthcare workers have also been urged to quickly identify, report and manage suspected cases.

The NCDC stressed that federal intervention alone cannot end the outbreaks. States and Local Governments must strengthen immunisation, improve access to safe water and sanitation, repair critical infrastructure and ensure communities have adequate treatment and rapid-response services.

Although declining cholera cases and improved survival rates are encouraging, the NCDC warned against complacency. Communities are advised to use safe water, practise good hygiene, prepare food safely and seek medical attention early. Anyone with frequent watery diarrhoea should begin oral rehydration immediately and visit a health facility, while parents and caregivers should ensure children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria.

The post Nigeria Records 65,000 Suspected Cholera Cases, Over 10,000 Diphtheria Cases appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

FTSE Russell to reclassify Nigeria into Frontier Market status

Published

18 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Preport

FTSE Russell has confirmed, in a market notice published on Thursday, that Nigeria’s reclassification from Unclassified to Frontier Market status will proceed effective from the open of trading on 21 September.

The decision marks Nigeria’s return to the global Frontier Market universe and represents an important milestone for the country’s capital market.

The announcement follows a process that began in October 2025, when FTSE Russell placed Nigeria on its Watch List for potential reclassification, following improvements in foreign exchange liquidity, capital repatriation and market accessibility.

In April 2026, FTSE Russell subsequently announced Nigeria’s return to Frontier Market status, with an effective date of 21 September.

Following Nigeria’s transition from a T+2 to T+1 settlement cycle on 1 June, FTSE Russell undertook an additional assessment after market participants raised concerns that the new settlement framework could effectively result in a de facto prefunding requirement for international institutional investors.

The review led to an extensive period of engagement between NGX Group, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FTSE Russell and international market participants.

In its reaction, NGX Group said its delegation engaged directly with global custodians and institutional investors in July. The discussions provided an opportunity for NGX Group to present evidence on the operation of the T+1 settlement cycle, address questions raised by international investors and custodians, and outline ongoing efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s market infrastructure remains aligned with evolving international best practice.

Following the assessment, FTSE Russell, supported by feedback from the FTSE Equity Country Classification Advisory Committee, confirmed that “no material settlement, operational or funding issues had been observed since the implementation of the T+1 settlement cycle”. On this basis, the FTSE Russell Index Governance Board confirmed that Nigeria’s reclassification will proceed as scheduled from the market open on Monday, 21 September 2026.

The announcement comes amid broader efforts to strengthen the Nigerian capital market and position it as an increasingly important engine of investment and economic growth.

On 6 August, the NGX Group Board met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to brief him on developments and reforms across the Nigerian capital market and discuss the market’s role in mobilising long-term capital to support Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

The engagement underscored the importance of continued collaboration between government and the capital-market ecosystem in creating an enabling environment for investment, capital formation and sustainable economic growth.

Nigeria’s return to Frontier Market status provides further international recognition of the progress being made across the market and creates a platform for the next phase of its development.

Commenting on the development, Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, said, “This is an important moment for Nigeria’s capital market. But the real significance of returning to Frontier Market status is the opportunity it creates for the next phase of our market’s development.

We have to turn greater international visibility into broader participation, deeper liquidity and more capital for Nigerian businesses. Our ambition is to build a market that is increasingly competitive globally and more relevant to Nigeria’s economic growth. We are encouraged by the continued support of the Federal Government and the commitment of stakeholders across the market as we work towards that ambition.”

The next milestone will be the publication of the FTSE Frontier Index Series annual indicative review files for September 2026, which will reflect Nigeria’s reclassification and are scheduled to begin publication on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. The reclassification will take effect from the market open on Monday, 21 September 2026.

Nigeria’s return to Frontier Market status is expected to enhance the visibility of Nigerian equities within the global investment community and create further opportunities to broaden engagement with international institutional investors and deepen participation in the Nigerian market.

The development follows S&P Dow Jones Indices’ placement of Nigeria on its Watch List for potential reclassification to Frontier Market status as part of its 2027 Country Classification Annual Review, providing a further indication of growing international attention to improvements in Nigeria’s market accessibility.

NGX Group reaffirms its commitment to continued collaboration with the Federal Government, SEC, market operators, investors, global index providers and other stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s position within the international financial ecosystem and ensure that the capital market plays an increasingly important role in sustainable economic growth and capital formation.