Business

Umahi decries vandalism on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

Published

3 months ago

February 22, 2026

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has decried acts of vandalism along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway corridor, warning that offenders will be prosecuted.

He, however, assured that Section One of the road will be ready for commissioning by May this year.

Umahi gave the assurance on Saturday during an inspection of the project, a flagship infrastructure initiative of the administration of President Bola Tinubu linking Lagos to the South-South and South-East regions.

The minister said a three-kilometre stretch under inspection was nearing completion, with sub-filling expected to be concluded within days.

According to him, once opened, motorists will be able to drive seamlessly from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Lekki, with access extending towards the Dangote Refinery axis as work progresses on Section Two.

He expressed confidence that Section One would be commissioned by 20 May, subject to the outcome of consolidation tests scheduled for March.

Umahi explained that engineers encountered deep soil conditions, with pits reaching between 18 and 22 metres in some sections, posing significant technical challenges.

He said similar conditions at chainage 18 had previously required six months of exposure to rainfall and the use of a stone base and sharp sand to achieve consolidation.

“For this section, we will conduct consolidation tests in March. If satisfactory, we will lay the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) in April and commission it by May 20,” he said.

The minister commended HITECH Construction Company for absorbing additional costs arising from unexpected soil conditions without seeking an upward review of the contract sum.

Umahi, however, condemned the cutting of metal fences and the dumping of refuse into drainage manholes along the corridor, describing the acts as dangerous and unacceptable.

“It is wrong for anyone to cut the metal fence or open manholes to dump refuse. These actions endanger lives and damage public infrastructure,” he said.

He said security agencies had been directed to arrest and prosecute offenders, adding that a team of senior lawyers has been constituted to handle litigation related to the project.

The minister also said steps were being considered to temporarily seal manholes to prevent easy access.

Beyond the highway project, Umahi linked the pace of work to the broader reform agenda of the Tinubu administration, saying infrastructure delivery remains central to national development.

He said Section Two of the coastal highway is expected to be delivered before the end of the year, while bridges across both sections are projected for completion by April next year.

The minister also warned contractors against misusing Advance Payment Guarantees (APGs), stating that firms that have collected mobilisation funds without returning to the site will no longer be accommodated.

“My directive is clear: any contractor holding government funds must return to the site. Certificates will not be paid while such funds are outstanding,” he said.

Umahi decried vandalism on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway nationwide, urging Nigerians to support ongoing reforms and protect public assets.

Business

Air Peace cuts Abuja–London flights to three weekly

Published

2 weeks ago

April 25, 2026

The Exclusives

Air Peace has reduced its Abuja–London flight operations to three times weekly until July 1, 2026.

The airline said the adjustment takes effect immediately, attributing the change in schedule to the ongoing local and global constraints in the supply of Jet A1 aviation fuel.

According to the airline, the decision was taken as a proactive measure to maintain operational safety and reliability during the affected period.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the management of Air Peace.

The statement titled: ‘Temporary schedule adjustment’ reads: “We sincerely appreciate your continued trust and loyalty. Due to the current Jet A1 (aviation fuel) supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide and around the world, we wish to inform you that our Abuja-London service has been temporarily adjusted to three weekly flights until 01 July, 2026

“This measure is necessary to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational reliability during this period, with full operational frequency on our London service scheduled to resume from 01 July 2026.

“We recognise that this adjustment may impact your travel plans, and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding. Please be assured that we are actively monitoring the situation and working closely with relevant stakeholders.”

The airline added that it would restore its full flight schedule once fuel supply conditions improve, assuring passengers that they would be kept informed with timely updates.

It also advised travellers whose bookings may be affected by the adjustment to contact its call centre for assistance.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association recently expressed concern over a potential shortage of jet fuel.

The association’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, described the International Energy Agency assessment of possible jet fuel shortages as sobering.

The statement by Walsh reads: “The IEA’s assessment of potential jet fuel shortages is sobering.

“We have also estimated that by the end of May, we could start to see some cancellations in Europe due to a lack of jet fuel. This is already happening in parts of Asia.

“Along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines, it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary, including for slot relief,” the statement said.

Business

Ride-hailing grows Nigeria’s economy

Published

2 weeks ago

April 23, 2026

The Exclusives

A new nationwide report commissioned by Bolt and conducted by Ipsos has revealed that Nigeria’s gig economy has expanded into a $5.17 billion sector, with ride-hailing emerging as one of the strongest growth drivers and a major source of flexible income across the country.

The report underscores the growing importance of platform-based work in addressing Nigeria’s employment challenges, as limited formal job opportunities continue to push many citizens—particularly young people—toward digital earning opportunities such as ride-hailing and e-commerce.

According to the findings, more than 92 per cent of employed Nigerians work within the informal sector, highlighting the significance of flexible, technology-driven jobs in the country’s labour market. Ride-hailing alone accounts for 24 per cent of gig economy participation, making it one of the most accessible entry points into platform-based income generation.

Speaking at the launch of Bolt’s Gig Economy Report in Lagos, the company’s Senior General Manager for West Africa, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, said flexible earning opportunities have become central to how many Nigerians sustain their livelihoods.

He explained that ride-hailing goes beyond providing transportation services, playing a broader economic role by enabling users to diversify their income sources, cope with financial pressures, and participate more actively in the digital economy.

The report also indicates that gig work has become a relatively stable income stream for many participants. Nearly 59 per cent of ride-hailing workers remain active on platforms for more than a year, suggesting that the sector offers consistent income support rather than short-term engagement.

It further highlights the role of the gig economy in tackling youth unemployment—an issue that remains higher than the national average—as more young Nigerians combine flexible work with education, entrepreneurship, and other livelihood strategies.

Findings from Ipsos show that participants are largely attracted to gig work because of its low entry barriers and the potential for daily earnings. Many respondents said the flexibility of ride-hailing allows them to better manage their time while meeting financial responsibilities.

The study also reported improvements in living standards among many participants. About 64 per cent said their living conditions had improved significantly since joining platform-based work, while 31 per cent reported slight improvements.

Digital payments are also driving the sector’s expansion, with more than 85 per cent of ride-hailing transactions now conducted through cashless channels such as bank transfers and POS systems, further strengthening financial inclusion.

However, the report points to a notable gender imbalance in the sector. Women account for only 3 to 4 per cent of ride-hailing participants, highlighting the need for more inclusive policies and support systems to encourage female participation.

It also notes ongoing regulatory developments and the growing influence of worker associations advocating improved welfare and fair practices within the industry.

Despite these challenges, the report concludes that Nigeria’s gig economy is gradually shifting from a survival-based alternative to a more structured part of the labour market, with ride-hailing playing a central role in advancing digital inclusion, income generation, and the future of work.

Business

Consumer products must be labelled in English–FCCPC

Published

1 month ago

March 27, 2026

The Exclusives

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on manufacturers, distributors, and importers to label all consumer products in Nigeria in English so that consumers can easily understand the information.

Mr. Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, made this statement at an event marking the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day in Abuja.

Bello, represented by the Director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department of the Commission, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, said the Commission had continued to encounter products that did not meet basic safety and quality standards.

According to him, there are so many products that are labelled in languages that are not the official languages of Nigeria.

”Every consumer product in Nigeria should be labelled in the English language; that is the official language in Nigeria. You see products in Chinese or Hindu; those products are falling short of the legal standards in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

He said that if such products were found in the market, they were already deemed unsafe because consumers would be consuming what they do not know or what they are incapable of understanding.

Bello described the theme of the event, ‘Safe Products, Confident Consumers,’ as ‘apt’.

He said it captured a simple but important truth: that where safety was uncertain, confidence would decline, and where confidence declined, markets would become weaker, less efficient, and less trustworthy.

Speaking further, Bello noted, “We are gathered at a time when product safety has become central to market integrity, consumer confidence, and public welfare. Some of these failures arise from weak internal control.”

“Others reflect gaps in compliance culture. In certain instances, there are indications of deliberate disregard for legal and regulatory obligations.”

Tunji noted, “In certain instances, there are indications of deliberate disregard for legal and regulatory obligations. The effect is immediate and serious. Product safety, therefore, cannot be treated as a secondary matter. It is a core obligation, with clear public interest consequences.”

A representative from the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Folorunsho Adeyemi, urged citizens to believe in Nigerian-made products.

Adeyemi said the market had been bedevilled with smuggling and counterfeiting, adding that most substandard products are smuggled into the country.

Also speaking, a representative of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Isiaku Mohammed, said the organisation was collaborating with various agencies to make sure that only safe and standard products penetrated the markets.

Contributing, Mr. Salihu Mohammed, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the National Agency for Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), urged the public to contact the agency over substandard products noticed in the market.

Mohammed said that any product with a NAFDAC number had gone through various scrutinies by the agency.

Mr Thomas Okosun of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal called on the public to visit the tribunal for redress in the event of consumer rights breaches by service providers.

“If you pay for a product and they tell you that you cannot get a refund, please come to us,” he said.

The day also featured the 9th National Young Consumers Contest (NYCC) among secondary schools from across the country.