Norway’s King Harald V Dies At 89 After Serious Illness, Crown Prince Haakon Succeeds Him

August 28, 2026

Norway is mourning the death of King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89 after a period of serious illness, the Norwegian Royal Palace announced on Friday.

Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 am on Friday, August 28, after being admitted to the hospital on August 17.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6:35 am,” (0435 GMT), the palace said in a statement.

Following his death, the Norwegian flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast as members of the public gathered to pay their respects.

King Harald Battled Serious Health Problems

Harald had been receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed more quickly than the body can replace them. The condition can cause symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.

His condition deteriorated significantly in the days before his death, with the palace describing it as “extremely serious” on Thursday.

Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Mette-Marit and their adult children gathered at the king’s bedside. Haakon reportedly remained at the hospital overnight as his father’s condition worsened.

Harald had experienced several health challenges in recent years, including infections and other conditions that eventually led to him having a pacemaker fitted. His official schedule had also been reduced because of his health.

Despite his declining health, Harald consistently rejected the idea of abdicating, saying he had made a lifelong oath before Norway’s parliament.

Norwegians Remember A Unifying Monarch

News of the king’s death prompted members of the public to gather outside the palace in Oslo, where they laid flowers and shared memories of the monarch.

Kaspara Bolstad, 24, described Harald as “a very steady and warm king”.

“I think the entire Norwegian people see him as a role model and as someone who brings people together. Whether you’re for or against the monarchy, I think he’s well-liked across the board,” she said.

Magnus Skaugseth, 27, also praised the late monarch’s inclusive approach to leadership.

“He was so inclusive and committed to having values that are inclusive in the society we live in today. When there is so much division and polarisation, he was a pillar pointing in the opposite direction,” Skaugseth said.

Harald became king in 1991 and remained a popular figure among Norwegians, largely because of his reputation for bringing people together and his modest, down-to-earth lifestyle.

Crown Prince Haakon Becomes King

Following Harald’s death, his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically succeeds him as Norway’s new monarch.

Haakon has long represented the royal family at official events and is expected to take on the responsibilities of the Norwegian throne following his father’s death.

The transition comes after a difficult period for Norway’s royal family, which has faced several health and personal challenges over the past year.

A Difficult Year For Norway’s Royal Family

King Harald was hospitalised in February after suffering an infection and dehydration while on a private trip to Tenerife with Queen Sonja.

Queen Sonja, also 89, was briefly hospitalised in May because of heart problems.

The family has also faced controversy surrounding Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, and her reported links to Jeffrey Epstein. Her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, has also faced significant legal problems and was sentenced in June to four years in prison following convictions for rape and other offences. He has appealed the verdict.

Mette-Marit has also faced serious health challenges of her own and underwent a lung transplant in July.

Despite the controversies and health difficulties surrounding the family, the Norwegian monarchy has maintained broad public support, with Harald’s long reign and reputation as a unifying and approachable monarch contributing significantly to its popularity.

Nepal Flood Disaster: Death Toll Hits 552 As Over 1,400 Remain Missing

Favour Enyosa

August 28, 2026

Devastating floods and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border have killed at least 552 people, with more than 1,400 others still missing as rescue teams race to find survivors amid fears of further flooding.

Nepalese police said on Friday that at least 547 people had died in the disaster, while Chinese state media reported five additional deaths in Tibet, bringing the combined toll to at least 552.

Hundreds of foreigners are among those still unaccounted for, while rescue operations have been complicated by damaged roads, unstable terrain and the threat of additional floods.

The United States Geological Survey said the disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse that sent a massive flow of ice, water and debris through affected communities. It is being described as Nepal’s deadliest disaster since the 2015 earthquake.

Indian authorities have also recovered seven bodies from rivers flowing from Nepal, which they believe may belong to victims of the floods. The bodies are not included in Nepal’s official death toll as efforts to identify them continue.

The disaster has created huge pools of water and debris across the region, with one such formation reportedly bursting in Tibet on Friday.

Nepali police warned rescue workers to immediately move to safer areas after receiving information that “a water dam has burst again on the Tibetan side”.

China also temporarily suspended rescue operations in the worst-hit area of Gyirong because of concerns over renewed flooding.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a lake created by enormous piles of debris had begun overflowing towards areas where rescue teams were preparing to operate.

“So all rescue teams have been ordered to stand by in place and wait for further instructions,” it said, adding that emergency teams which had earlier accessed the area “have been ordered to withdraw one kilometer”.

A meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping also highlighted “many hidden dangers of glaciers, ice lakes and geological disasters in the surrounding area” and warned that “rescue is facing great difficulties,” according to Xinhua.

Rescue teams in Nepal have also been working to reach more than 100 people trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project.

Nepali Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said helicopters had been deployed, although reaching the tunnel has proved difficult because rescuers have struggled to locate its entrances.

“Two helicopters have been dispatched, but it is challenging because it is tough to even locate the entry points of the tunnel,” he said.

About 350 workers and residents have already been rescued from the site, while efforts continue to reach those still trapped.

One survivor, Buddha Tamang, said he escaped the flood because he was inside a tunnel when the disaster struck.

“I survived as I was in the tunnel,” said Tamang, who was airlifted after spending more than 24 hours stranded.

“The senior officers working on the other side, they were all swept away.”

The disaster has left families searching hospitals, emergency centres and rescue sites for information about relatives who remain missing.

Kula Priya, whose eldest son disappeared in the floods, said she had lost everything in the disaster.

“I don’t care for wealth. I just want my son back. If any of you could rescue my son, please do it for me,” she said.

“I don’t know where to go. We had three houses, all of which were washed away by the floods.”

Nepali authorities said 910 people, including 517 foreign tourists, remained out of contact. Indians account for the largest group of missing foreign nationals, while the United States said 90 of its citizens were still unaccounted for.

Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities said hundreds of people remained missing and three had died. Officials also reported that 555 stranded tourists and 499 Chinese residents had been evacuated.

Pilgrims Among Those Missing

The affected region is also an important route for Hindu pilgrims travelling towards Mount Kailash in China, leaving several international pilgrims among those missing.

Logadarrsiny Raman, a 26-year-old Malaysian, said she had lost contact with her parents, aunt and uncle, who were travelling as part of a group of 17 Malaysians.

According to Raman, the travel agency last contacted the group on Wednesday morning while they were heading towards the Nepal-China border. The floods struck the area shortly afterwards.

“I’m very anxious,” she said. “My only hope is to hear back from them that they are safe.”

With rescue operations continuing under increasingly difficult conditions, authorities on both sides of the border are racing against time to locate survivors, account for missing people and protect emergency workers from further flooding.

WHO Declares Uganda’s Ebola Outbreak Over

Ayomitunde Adeyemi

August 27, 2026

The World Health Organization has confirmed that Uganda’s outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is officially over, even as the virus continues to spread rapidly across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A WHO official told a briefing on Wednesday that Uganda’s all-clear follows the government’s own declaration on July 28 that it was free of the disease, which had infected 20 people and claimed two lives. The WHO says it kept monitoring the situation until this week to make sure no chains of transmission had slipped through unnoticed.

The picture in Congo, however, remains far more troubling. Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire, the WHO’s director of emergency preparedness for the African region, told a regional meeting that cases there keep climbing despite some headway being made. The outbreak has become the second-deadliest in the disease’s history, with Congolese authorities reporting more than 2,700 deaths and over 5,600 cases as of Tuesday — figures that continue to outpace containment efforts on the ground.

Belizaire said transmission is still very active, though the rate of spread has at least slowed. She pointed to gains in contact tracing and testing, along with reassuring lab findings showing no signs so far that the Bundibugyo virus has mutated despite its rapid spread.

Still, she warned of an urgent $30 million funding shortfall needed to keep medical supplies and protective equipment flowing to the hardest-hit parts of Congo, cautioning that without immediate investment, the progress made so far risks stalling out.

At Least 12 Killed As Wildfires Rage Across Northern Algeria

Ayomitunde Adeyemi

August 27, 2026

Wildfires have torn through large parts of northern Algeria, leaving at least 12 people dead and dozens more injured, as the country’s civil protection authorities battle dozens of separate blazes along the northern coastline.

Interior Minister Said Sayoud said on Wednesday night that at least 54 people had suffered burn injuries, six of them in intensive care. He gave a province-by-province breakdown of the fatalities: five deaths in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. Sayoud has since travelled to Bejaia alongside Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to review firefighting and evacuation efforts on the ground.

Authorities and local media report that many homes in Bejaia and Jijel have been evacuated, with local broadcaster Jijel News airing footage of residents sheltering from thick smoke inside a post office. Firefighters were reportedly tackling 69 active blazes nationwide as of Wednesday evening.

The disaster comes as a severe heatwave grips North Africa, hitting Algeria and Tunisia especially hard. It also echoes a similar tragedy three years ago, when wildfires devastated forest and farmland in the Bejaia region and killed 30 people. Just last month, authorities recorded six fire-related deaths as crews fought more than 2,000 blazes across the country in July alone.

While wildfires are a recurring summer hazard in Algeria, experts say climate change is intensifying their scale and severity. The World Meteorological Organization notes that North Africa has become the fastest-warming subregion on the continent, with temperatures climbing 0.43°C per decade between 1991 and 2025. The same warming trend has also been linked to a rise in camel deaths during summer heatwaves, according to a recent study.

Tanzania Expels Nchimbi From Ruling Party Over ‘Indiscipline’

Ayomitunde Adeyemi

August 27, 2026

Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has expelled Emmanuel Nchimbi, days after he announced his resignation as the country’s vice-president just 10 months into the role.

The 54-year-old had stirred controversy in recent weeks with a series of pointed remarks, including a call for Tanzanians to push for a new constitution, fuelling speculation of a rift with President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Nchimbi served as Samia’s running mate in October’s fiercely disputed presidential election, a vote that triggered violent unrest in which hundreds of people were killed.

The CCM’s decision to expel him for indiscipline was made at an extraordinary party meeting chaired by President Samia, though officials gave no details on the specific allegations against him. Nchimbi’s resignation, which he shared in a brief letter posted to Instagram on Tuesday, takes effect at the end of next week and makes him the first vice-president in Tanzania’s history to step down from the post. He said he had come to believe, “without doubt,” that the president wanted change.

Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, has been nominated to succeed him and will now need parliamentary approval to take up the role.

Samia and Nchimbi were sworn in last November after a landslide win of 98% of the vote, in an election boycotted by the main opposition party, Chadema, which had demanded electoral reforms before taking part. The vote’s aftermath was marked by a deadly crackdown, with an official inquiry putting the death toll from the unrest at more than 50, a figure human rights groups and opposition parties have linked to a violent security force response to anti-government protests.

DHQ Debunks Fake AI Video Of CDS Olufemi Oluyede Making Partisan Political Remarks

Favour Enyosa

August 27, 2026

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a viral video allegedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making remarks that appeared to suggest support for a particular political interest.

The military authorities said on Thursday that the video was fabricated and did not originate from the Defence Chief, urging Nigerians to disregard its contents.

In a statement shared on its X handle and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ described the statements attributed to Oluyede as false.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unequivocally that the video is fake and did not emanate from the Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement said.

“The statements attributed to the CDS in the video are false and should be completely disregarded,” it added.

DHQ Says Video Was AI-Generated

According to the military, the footage was created using artificial intelligence and appears to have been designed to mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and damage the reputation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“The video is a product of Artificial Intelligence-generated manipulation, apparently designed to deceive and mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and bring the Armed Forces of Nigeria into disrepute,” the military said.

The DHQ stressed that the Nigerian military remains politically neutral and operates as a professional, non-partisan institution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution, committed to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defence of the nation,” it said.

Military Warns Against Sharing Fake Video

The Defence Headquarters condemned the creation and circulation of the fabricated footage and warned those responsible, as well as anyone knowingly promoting it, to stop immediately.

“The Defence Headquarters strongly condemns the deliberate creation and circulation of the fake video and warns those behind such acts, as well as persons knowingly amplifying the material, to desist forthwith,” the statement said.

The military also advised Nigerians to verify information through its official communication channels and avoid relying on the viral video or other unverified materials circulating online.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the use of AI-generated content to impersonate public figures and spread misleading information online.

NPFL Signs $7.5m EUROMATCH Sponsorship Deal, 60% Of Funds To Go To Clubs

Favour Enyosa

August 27, 2026

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has secured a new three-year title sponsorship agreement worth $7.5 million with EUROMATCH, with 60 per cent of the revenue set to go directly to participating clubs.

The partnership, valued at $2.5 million per season, was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, with EUROMATCH confirmed as the league’s new title sponsor ahead of the 2026/27 season.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the decision to allocate the larger share of the sponsorship income to clubs was designed to ensure that the league’s commercial growth directly improves players’ wages and welfare.

“Let me announce to you that the deal is about $2.5m every season from EUROMATCH for three seasons. That is $7.5m,” Elegbeleye said.

“That will help in increasing players’ wages. Of course, we don’t give the money to the clubs ourselves, but 60 per cent goes straight to the clubs. That is the agreement. This must be reflected in the welfare of the footballers.”

The sponsorship represents a major commercial boost for the domestic league, which has undergone several reforms focused on improving club finances, player welfare, broadcasting, branding and the overall commercial value of the competition.

Elegbeleye stressed that the league’s commercial strategy was primarily about creating better opportunities for the players, whom he described as the main attraction of football.

“In football and in sport generally, the athletes and the players are the attractions, not the administrators. To be honest, there are players that we want to promote, not those of us who are the administrators.

“The fact is that it is not my business to be in the public eye here. The business is about the players. Nigerians should know them. It is not the business of an administrator to be showing his face everywhere. I can be there, but I should appear in the background.

“Let our players shine. Let the world know them. Let our league be known. Those of us behind the scenes, let our work reflect and let our work show,” he said.

The NPFL chairman added that higher earnings would play an important role in improving players’ motivation, welfare and productivity.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the agreement as evidence that Nigeria’s decision to position sports as a business was beginning to attract significant investment.

Dare praised the NPFL for embracing reforms and acknowledged the efforts of clubs, management, owners and other stakeholders in sustaining the changes despite challenges over the past three years.

“First, I think the NPFL must be commended for embracing change and reforms. I know the last three-plus years have not been easy for them, but they have kept at it,” he said.

“Also, especially the clubs, the management and ownership of the clubs, and the key stakeholders have keyed into that change. And this is what happens when you embrace change that is progressive: you attract investment.

“Seeing this come to life, $7.5m over the next three years is massive. But also, it speaks to the effort we made when we classified sports as a business.”

According to Dare, the reforms are supported by a 10-year football master plan aimed at developing the sport, attracting foreign direct investment, strengthening branding and increasing the commercial appeal of Nigerian football.

He said the developments could also have a positive effect on the country’s national teams.

“I think that will also impact what we see in our national teams—the Super Eagles, the Under-20, Under-17 and others,” Dare said.

Dare further disclosed that government funding for sports had increased from N1.9 billion to N76 billion, while stressing that increased public spending must be accompanied by reforms that bring Nigerian sports closer to international standards.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, described the sponsorship as a significant development for Nigerian football.

He said the agreement would strengthen the NPFL while creating more opportunities for clubs and players. Gusau also pledged continued NFF support for initiatives aimed at improving the standard, visibility and commercial value of domestic football.

Group Chairman of EUROMATCH GROUP, Sadi Semih, said the company views the three-year agreement as a strategic investment in Nigerian football.

He said EUROMATCH would work with the NPFL and other stakeholders to ensure the partnership delivers sustainable value and increases the league’s international visibility.

The agreement comes as the NPFL prepares for the 2026/27 season and continues efforts to build a stronger financial and commercial foundation for domestic football.

The league is also expected to increase its financial rewards for participating clubs, with the 2026/27 champions projected to receive a record N1 billion prize, according to the National Sports Commission.

Former Super Eagles stars Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen and Brown Ideye were among the dignitaries present at the unveiling of the new partnership.

2027 Kaduna Election: NDC Yet To Decide On Governorship Candidate, Chairman Says

Favour Enyosa

August 27, 2026

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has not officially chosen its candidate for the Kaduna State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the party’s state chairman, Mordecai Ibrahim.

Ibrahim made this known on Wednesday during a press conference in Kaduna, as the dispute over the party’s governorship ticket involving former Senator Danjuma La’ah and lawyer Mohammed Sani Abbas continued.

According to the state chairman, neither La’ah nor Abbas has been formally recognised as the party’s governorship candidate, with the matter still unresolved at both the state and national levels.

Ibrahim said the party would need to conduct a substitution primary after his withdrawal from the race.

He explained that he had previously been recognised as the NDC’s governorship candidate but voluntarily stepped down after submitting a formal withdrawal notice to the party’s national chairman and the Kaduna State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

His withdrawal letter, dated August 7, was reportedly received by the national chairman’s office, while he also submitted an affidavit confirming his decision.

Ibrahim also displayed what he described as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) summary of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 election, which still listed him as the NDC’s governorship candidate.

He said, “The bitter truth is that both at the state and national levels, the decision as to who the governorship candidate of Kaduna State, whether Barrister Mohammed Sani Abbas or Senator Danjuma Tellah La’ah, has not been taken.”

The clarification comes amid conflicting claims from La’ah and Abbas over who should represent the party in the governorship contest.

A faction of the NDC had previously denied issuing a governorship ticket to La’ah. The party’s Deputy National Chairman, North, Alhaji Sidi Bomi, also reportedly rejected a document circulating on social media which purportedly indicated that La’ah had emerged as the party’s candidate.

Bomi said the document did not originate from the party and should therefore not be considered proof of La’ah’s nomination.

Meanwhile, Abbas has continued to insist that he is the legitimate NDC governorship candidate.

Ibrahim rejected that position, accusing Abbas of falsely claiming that he participated in and won a governorship primary.

“It is highly unfortunate for a member of the temple of justice to spew such lies that he participated in a primary election which he won, knowing same to be outright falsehood,” he said.

The chairman maintained that the disagreement could not be settled through competing claims or political propaganda, stressing that the party must follow the appropriate electoral procedures.

Ibrahim said the NDC now has little choice but to conduct a substitution primary if it is unable to reach a consensus on its candidate.

“By the provision of Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026, Nigeria Democratic Congress is now only left with the option of organising a substitution primary election for a validly recognised candidate to emerge since they have been unable to reach a consensus – thus anything short of this will be illegal.”

He also disclosed that two other aspirants, Zariyi Madaki and Ibrahim Abdulkarim, withdrew from the contest in support of La’ah during the first consensus meeting at the party’s national secretariat.

Ibrahim described La’ah as an experienced politician who served two terms in the Senate and was previously the only Peoples Democratic Party senator representing Kaduna State and the North-West.

However, he advised Abbas to focus on building stronger support at the grassroots, particularly within his ward and local government area.

“Every politician worth his onion will first make sure his ward and local government are on his side because charity must always begin at home,” he said.

The unresolved dispute is expected to keep attention on the NDC as the party works to determine who will ultimately fly its flag in the 2027 Kaduna State governorship election.

2027 Elections: INEC To Publish Governorship And Assembly Candidates On August 29

Favour Enyosa

August 27, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to publish the names of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The commission is expected to release the candidate lists on Saturday, August 29, 2026, as preparations intensify for the general elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The publication will give political parties, candidates and voters an opportunity to review the names and other details submitted to INEC as the electoral process advances.

Governorship elections will be held in 28 states in 2027, while elections into the State Houses of Assembly will take place across all 36 states.

The states scheduled to elect governors are Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto.

Governorship elections will not be conducted in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo and Kogi, as those states held their elections at different times under Nigeria’s staggered electoral calendar.

The approaching deadline is expected to increase pressure on political parties to complete their nomination processes and resolve any outstanding issues involving their candidates.

Nigeria currently has 22 registered political parties, all of which are eligible to nominate candidates for the various governorship and legislative contests.

New governors will be elected in states where the tenure of the incumbent governor expires in 2027. These include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara and Nasarawa.

The publication of the lists will give voters a clearer picture of the individuals seeking to represent the various political parties in the governorship and State Assembly elections.

The August 29 publication comes after INEC’s August 22 deadline for candidates seeking to withdraw from the 2027 elections.

Under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026, a candidate who wishes to withdraw must submit a written notice, signed by the candidate and accompanied by an affidavit, directly to the political party that nominated them.

The provision establishes a formal process for candidates who decide to step down after receiving their parties’ nominations.

The August 29 deadline will also cover the submission of final candidate lists for political parties contesting the presidential and National Assembly elections.

However, INEC has scheduled September 12, 2026, for the publication of the final list of candidates for the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections.

With these deadlines approaching, political parties and candidates are entering a crucial stage of preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

FAAN Clears Bolt To Resume Airport Operations, Says It Does Not Set Taxi Fares

Favour Enyosa

August 27, 2026

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has approved Bolt to immediately resume ride-hailing services at Nigerian airports after reaching an operational agreement with the platform.

The development follows a dispute between FAAN and the ride-hailing company that temporarily disrupted Bolt’s airport operations and sparked complaints from passengers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said the disagreement was linked to longstanding concerns over safety, security and accountability involving commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating at airports.

The authority said the concerns include unauthorised passenger pickups, solicitation and situations where drivers operate across multiple ride-hailing platforms without adequate oversight.

FAAN also apologised to passengers affected by the disruption.

“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” Mr. Henry Agbebire, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed in a statement made available to Techeconomy, adding that FAAN had “listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments.”

FAAN Clarifies Airport Transport Management System

The authority explained that the concerns surrounding airport transport operations led to the introduction of ACHRAMS, an airport car-hire management system.

FAAN stressed that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and does not compete with Bolt, Uber or other mobility platforms.

The agency also responded to criticism over airport taxi fares, rejecting suggestions that it had recently introduced or imposed the rates being discussed publicly.

According to FAAN, the fares existed before the current controversy and were not substantially different from rates previously charged.

The authority said ACHRAMS had mainly made existing fares more visible to passengers, leading to increased public scrutiny because the rates appeared higher than the prices many passengers were accustomed to paying through e-hailing services.

FAAN Says Discussions With Other E-Hailing Platforms Continue

FAAN said it is still engaging with other e-hailing operators and expects the discussions to conclude “in the coming days.” The authority did not specify which platforms remain affected by the ongoing discussions.

It maintained that its actions were motivated by regulatory, safety and security concerns rather than commercial interests.

FAAN also denied any intention to establish a monopoly over transportation services at Nigerian airports, saying its goal is to ensure a safer and more accountable airport transport system.

The authority expressed appreciation to passengers for their patience and understanding during the temporary disruption and reiterated its commitment to resolving outstanding issues with mobility operators.

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