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Aviation Financing Critical To Africa’s Economic Integration, Says Keyamo
Aviation Financing Critical To Africa’s Economic Integration, Says Keyamo
Aviation minister Festus Keyamo says sustainable aviation financing is critical to Africa’s economic integration and development.
Mr Keyamo said this in an interview at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. He said Nigeria signed a Letter of Intent with the Bank under its Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme aimed at modernising African airlines and strengthening regional connectivity.
According to him, the programme seeks to provide affordable long-term financing for African carriers to renew fleets and improve competitiveness.
“This is one of the most ambitious aviation programmes in Africa. It seeks to modernise fleets, invest in aviation infrastructure and provide financing platforms for African airlines,” he said.
Mr Keyamo said Nigeria was among the first countries to key into the initiative because of its strategic position as Africa’s largest aviation market. He said the federal government recently secured approval to establish a Nigerian aircraft leasing company to mobilise capital for local airlines.
The minister said the special-purpose vehicle would help domestic carriers modernise their fleets and compete at the regional and international levels.
“Africa must have a single sky. Even the African Continental Free Trade Area cannot fully succeed without stronger air connectivity across the continent,” he said.
Mr Keyamo also said Nigeria committed $500 million to modernising the Lagos airport without external borrowing. According to him, the Lagos airport accounts for about 67 per cent of passenger traffic into Nigeria annually.

Festus Keyamo
He said modernising airports across Africa would attract global investments and position the continent as a major global aviation hub.
Mike Salawou, the director of infrastructure and urban development at the AfDB, said African airlines faced high financing costs and regulatory barriers.
Mr Salawou said the bank’s aviation programme was designed to support reforms, improve access to affordable capital and strengthen technical capacity within the sector.
“We are already in the implementation stage. Nigeria is leading on reforms and helping to drive aviation transformation in West and Central Africa,” he said.
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Kano Ex-deputy Governor Gwarzo Gets NDC Guber Ticket
Kano Ex-deputy Governor Gwarzo Gets NDC Guber Ticket
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has selected Aminu Gwarzo, former deputy governor of Kano, as the party’s governorship candidate for the state.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), stated this in an X post on Friday, saying the decision was taken in the spirit of equity, loyalty and competence. Eereporter.com
Kwankwaso added that Nasiru Gawuna, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, was also handed the Kano central senatorial ticket.
“I am delighted to announce that His Excellency, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has been selected as our Kano NDC gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming elections,” he wrote.
“Similarly, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna will contest for the Kano Central Senatorial Seat.
“This decision was made in the spirit of equity, fairness, loyalty, and competence — values that remain central to our party and Kwankwasiyya’s progress and unity.
“As we proceed with today’s affirmation exercise, I pray for a seamless, peaceful, and successful process.
“May Almighty Allah grant us resounding victory in the forthcoming elections.”
Gwarzo joined the NDC shortly after resigning from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on May 5.
His move came two days after Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, former Anambra governor, joined the NDC from the ADC, citing “wide-ranging consultations” and uncertainties over the party’s future.
The former deputy governor had joined the ADC on April 5 from the NNPP, receiving his membership card at a well-attended event in Gwarzo, Kano.
His move also came six days after Kwankwaso joined the party on March 30 from the NNPP.
Gawuna also joined the NDC on May 4 shortly after quitting the ADC, which he joined on March 31 from the APC.

Gwarzo
He also announced his resignation as chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), effective March 27, in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to political appointees.
The NDC has fixed today for its primaries — where it is expected to announce consensus candidates for various political offices.
Aminu Gwarzo
Ex-Kano deputy governor
Kano State
NDC governorship candidate for Kano
NDC governorship ticket
Eereporter.com
News
Tinubu: Youths To Benefit From Reforms In Tech, Agriculture, Sports
Tinubu: Youths To Benefit From Reforms In Tech, Agriculture, Sports
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian youths that his administration remains committed to expanding opportunities for them across technology, manufacturing, agriculture, sports, creative industries and entrepreneurship.
Mr Tinubu stated this on Friday in a nationwide message commemorating the third anniversary of his administration.
“To our young people, I want you to know this nation believes in you. You are not a problem to be managed. You are the engine of Nigeria’s future,” the president said.
Eereporter.com
He stated that the government was investing heavily in digital skills, technical education, innovation, student financing and enterprise support to prepare young Nigerians for future opportunities.
“We are investing in digital skills, technical education, innovation, student financing and enterprise support because the future must be driven by Nigerian talent, creativity and productivity,” Mr Tinubu stated.
According to him, the administration was deliberately creating opportunities for youths to compete and succeed in different sectors of the economy.
“Across technology, manufacturing, creative industries, agriculture, sports and entrepreneurship, we are expanding opportunities for you to compete and succeed,” the president stated.
Mr Tinubu stressed that national development required unity, discipline, resilience and collective commitment from all citizens.
“The journey of national renewal is not completed in a single year or a single administration’s tenure. Nations rise when their people remain united in purpose, disciplined in effort and hopeful about the future,” he said.
The president urged Nigerians to reject division and embrace nation-building, optimism and shared responsibility.
“We must choose hope over despair, unity over division and nation-building over narrow interests,” Mr Tinubu declared.
He said true security and prosperity could only be achieved when every Nigerian felt included and valued irrespective of religion, region or social background.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, no region, faith or group should feel marginalised or forgotten. Our diversity is a source of strength,” the president added.
Mr Tinubu also commended Nigerian workers, entrepreneurs, farmers, professionals, students, security personnel and citizens in the diaspora for their sacrifices and contributions to nation-building.
“To our youth, workers, entrepreneurs, farmers, professionals, security personnel, students and diaspora: your sacrifices sustain our nation, and they will not be in vain,” he explained.
The president reassured the international community and investors that Nigeria remained committed to democratic governance, economic reforms and mutually beneficial partnerships.
“To the international community and investors: Nigeria remains committed to democratic stability, economic reform, responsible governance and mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said.
Mr Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying signs of economic recovery and renewed confidence were becoming increasingly visible across major sectors.

Tinubu
“Today, the world is watching our country again, not as a nation defined by its difficulties, but as a nation determined to rise,” he declared. “Across agriculture, infrastructure, power, technology, manufacturing and industry, the signs of recovery are becoming clearer. Confidence is returning. Productivity is improving. Opportunity is expanding.”
The president urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and united in pursuing national progress and development.
“The work ahead is enormous, but I remain optimistic because I believe deeply in this country and in you, the Nigerian people,” Mr Tinubu said. “I ask you to keep faith with Nigeria. Let us reject cynicism and division. Let us move forward together, united in purpose, disciplined in effort, compassionate toward one another and confident in the greatness that lies ahead.”
Eereporter.com
News
NNPC Champions Technology-Driven Enterprise At SAP Sapphire Conference
NNPC Champions Technology-Driven Enterprise At SAP Sapphire Conference
The Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Limited, Mrs. Sophia Mbakwe, recently led the Company’s delegation in high-level engagements with global technology leaders at the SAP Sapphire 2026 Conference in Madrid, Spain.
Eereporter.com
In one of such strategic meetings with SAP EMEA leadership, Mbakwe emphasised NNPC Limited’s focus on leveraging AI and digital solutions to drive operational efficiency, strengthen governance, and support Nigeria’s production growth ambitions.
The engagement underscores NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a future-ready, technology-driven enterprise.
The SAP Sapphire Madrid 2026 conference, held from May 19–21 at IFEMA Madrid, brought together SAP executives, partners, customers, and industry leaders to showcase latest innovations in Business AI, Cloud ERP, and the reimagined Joule AI assistant.

NNPC
The event focused on enterprise transformation, featuring live demos, customer success stories, expert sessions, and keynote presentations on how AI and data are reshaping modern business operations.
Eereporter.com
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