News
$1.36bn under threat as local, foreign airlines battle over BASA equity
There is another twist to the demand of foreign airlines operating in Nigeria for their $600 million trapped in the country’s foreign exchange sourcing difficulties.
The foreign airlines collect Naira for their tickets from customers and exchange same for foreign currencies for their operations. But recently they said the they have been unable to get the exchange executed through the official foreign exchange market due to scarcity of foreign exchange resources.
However, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, is now saying that the money is not trapped, advising the foreign airlines to go to the parallel market to exchange their Naira revenue.
AON maintained that the foreign airlines’ demand is not legitimate, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should not be dragged into their plight, adding that there is also the option of Investors and Exchange Foreign Exchange, I&E FX window where they can access forex.
The AON noted that local airlines have the capacity and the aircraft to fly passengers from Nigeria to other countries but are being denied the opportunity by other countries.
But stakeholders also argued that 80 per cent of commercial aviation earnings come from foreign airline operations and that domestic airlines need to move their operations to international territories where they can earn huge income.
Also, an African aviation management consultancy and operational service provider based in London, Dre aviation, lamented that it is absurd forcing any member of the international aviation community to the parallel market (also known as black market) to source forex for repatriation of their profits.
BASA challenges
Meanwhile, finding indicates that with the over 95 Bi-Lateral Air Service Agreements, BASAs, with countries around the world, the country is only able to reciprocate six per cent since inception, whereas, 27 countries fly into Nigeria.
BASA is a bilateral aviation safety agreement that facilitates the technical assessment process of two signatory countries.
According to the Principal Managing Partner, Avaero, Sindy Foster, “Nigeria has signed over 95 Bilateral BASAs with countries around the world. Currently, 27 airlines fly in Nigeria. However, only Air Peace flies internationally to eight countries, with two new routes coming soon.
“For the first two years of operation the national carrier will be competing with the domestic airlines, so will not be doing anything towards implementation of BASA agreements.”
Violation of BASA
Reacting to the foreign airlines’ demand, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, noted that the Nigerian government has not in any way violated its BASA with the airlines.
He noted that the CBN does not regulate how much airlines sell their tickets, adding that, “They have also given a public notice that there is a scarcity of forex, and companies can go source their funds from the parallel market.
“There are many parallel markets, we do source from I& E windows, the only difference is when you have to buy from CBN, it could be coming at about N450 to $1 and in I&A window, you can negotiate and it could be sold at N650 to $1.
“If we the local operators can do that, what has anybody done to offend the BASA agreement when you are asked to go source from other places? Their money is not confiscated, nobody says they should not repatriate, but it is just simply going to other places. Why are these airlines not doing this?
“I am happy they are calling for meetings, but I hope the agenda would include how much they are selling their tickets because their ticket prices are in foreign currencies and converted to Naira.
“As long as their ticket for instance is $5,000 and the value Nigerians are paying for it is N2.5 million, which is about N450 to $1, then I have a legitimate case to say we are bound by this rate. But since they are free to fix their ticket price at a rate that would enable their business to move on, you cannot sell at the rate of N700 or N800 and come back to say you want to transmit your money at N450.
“When we talk about this, it looks like they have not been getting their money, last two weeks, there was a huge chunk of money that was made available for Emirates airlines in particular, We the AON kicked against it because we have a lot of invoices lined up in different banks.
“This forex issue is affecting everybody. Today, manufacturers go to the bank to put in an invoice of $1 million and at the end of the day they might be lucky to get $50,000.
“In a situation like this, these airlines could have a more creative way of spending their money, if there are bills they are paying in foreign currency they could negotiate with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, or other authority to give them a waiver so that they can use Naira to pay for these bills.
“If they want $400 million as at today, they can talk to about two or three banks in their country who will get them an I & E window of N700 and this will be over, if we the local operators can do that, why can’t they?
“We are watching, if CBN can give them the said amount, we will be happy because we know the money is there. We will also put up our bills which are also landing. They should also give us local operators as foreign airlines cannot be given preferential rates.”
$1.36bn under threat as local, foreign airlines battle over BASA equity
.
There is another twist to the demand of foreign airlines operating in Nigeria for their $600 million trapped in the country’s foreign exchange sourcing difficulties.
The foreign airlines collect Naira for their tickets from customers and exchange same for foreign currencies for their operations. But recently they said the they have been unable to get the exchange executed through the official foreign exchange market due to scarcity of foreign exchange resources.
However, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, is now saying that the money is not trapped, advising the foreign airlines to go to the parallel market to exchange their Naira revenue.
AON maintained that the foreign airlines’ demand is not legitimate, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should not be dragged into their plight, adding that there is also the option of Investors and Exchange Foreign Exchange, I&E FX window where they can access forex.
The AON noted that local airlines have the capacity and the aircraft to fly passengers from Nigeria to other countries but are being denied the opportunity by other countries.
But stakeholders also argued that 80 per cent of commercial aviation earnings come from foreign airline operations and that domestic airlines need to move their operations to international territories where they can earn huge income.
Also, an African aviation management consultancy and operational service provider based in London, Dre aviation, lamented that it is absurd forcing any member of the international aviation community to the parallel market (also known as black market) to source forex for repatriation of their profits.
BASA challenges
Meanwhile, finding indicates that with the over 95 Bi-Lateral Air Service Agreements, BASAs, with countries around the world, the country is only able to reciprocate six per cent since inception, whereas, 27 countries fly into Nigeria.
BASA is a bilateral aviation safety agreement that facilitates the technical assessment process of two signatory countries.
According to the Principal Managing Partner, Avaero, Sindy Foster, “Nigeria has signed over 95 Bilateral BASAs with countries around the world. Currently, 27 airlines fly in Nigeria. However, only Air Peace flies internationally to eight countries, with two new routes coming soon.
“For the first two years of operation the national carrier will be competing with the domestic airlines, so will not be doing anything towards implementation of BASA agreements.”
Violation of BASA
Reacting to the foreign airlines’ demand, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, noted that the Nigerian government has not in any way violated its BASA with the airlines.
He noted that the CBN does not regulate how much airlines sell their tickets, adding that, “They have also given a public notice that there is a scarcity of forex, and companies can go source their funds from the parallel market.
“There are many parallel markets, we do source from I& E windows, the only difference is when you have to buy from CBN, it could be coming at about N450 to $1 and in I&A window, you can negotiate and it could be sold at N650 to $1.
“If we the local operators can do that, what has anybody done to offend the BASA agreement when you are asked to go source from other places? Their money is not confiscated, nobody says they should not repatriate, but it is just simply going to other places. Why are these airlines not doing this?
“I am happy they are calling for meetings, but I hope the agenda would include how much they are selling their tickets because their ticket prices are in foreign currencies and converted to Naira.
“As long as their ticket for instance is $5,000 and the value Nigerians are paying for it is N2.5 million, which is about N450 to $1, then I have a legitimate case to say we are bound by this rate. But since they are free to fix their ticket price at a rate that would enable their business to move on, you cannot sell at the rate of N700 or N800 and come back to say you want to transmit your money at N450.
“When we talk about this, it looks like they have not been getting their money, last two weeks, there was a huge chunk of money that was made available for Emirates airlines in particular, We the AON kicked against it because we have a lot of invoices lined up in different banks.
“This forex issue is affecting everybody. Today, manufacturers go to the bank to put in an invoice of $1 million and at the end of the day they might be lucky to get $50,000.
“In a situation like this, these airlines could have a more creative way of spending their money, if there are bills they are paying in foreign currency they could negotiate with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, or other authority to give them a waiver so that they can use Naira to pay for these bills.
“If they want $400 million as at today, they can talk to about two or three banks in their country who will get them an I & E window of N700 and this will be over, if we the local operators can do that, why can’t they?
“We are watching, if CBN can give them the said amount, we will be happy because we know the money is there. We will also put up our bills which are also landing. They should also give us local operators as foreign airlines cannot be given preferential rates.”
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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