Airport Expansion: FG To Demolish Private Jet Hangars

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September 1, 2023

The Federal Government has said it will demolish two multibillion-naira private jet terminals/aircraft hangars to pave the way for the expansion of the newly inaugurated international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who made the disclosure during an inspection of facilities at the Lagos airport on Thursday, said the private jet terminals were obstructing the expansion of the apron size of the new Chinese-build terminal, which was opened in March 2022.

According to him, the apron size of the new international terminal is not adequate to accommodate jumbo planes operating international routes.

According to reports, over 22 private jets belonging to some prominent Nigerians and organisations are expected to be relocated from the two multibillion-naira private jet terminals/hangars ahead of the demolition of the facilities.

The Minister emphasised the need to provide a better travelling experience for Nigerian passengers passing through the airport.

As a result, he said the old international terminal would be shut by October 1, while over 25 foreign airlines operating from the facility would be relocated to the new terminal.

The aviation minister said, “we have to find a way to use the new terminal. Like in many other countries, we have to get emergency procurement to buy big buses and move passengers to where the big planes can stop for both arrivals and departures so that Nigerians can have some form of comfort.

Senate Can’t Halt Ongoing Demolition At Lagos Airport

“The long-term plan is that, we are going to find a way to build avio-bridges for the big aircraft coming in and that means some of those private hangars will have to go for public purpose, we have to relocate them so that we can have a beautiful, functional gateway to Nigeria. For now, I am giving them till October 1 to shut down the old terminal so that we can use the new terminal.”

Keyamo’s declaration comes barely four months after the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the two private jet terminals/hangars were obstructing the efficient use of the international wing of the airport.

As such, Sirika said the facilities would be demolished to pave the way for the expansion of the new international terminal.

He said, “those two hangars, Dominion and Evergreen, will have to go and give way for our airport to be more efficient. We are not operating the Lagos airport at full capacity and it is household knowledge now, we have some obstructions that would be removed within the next one or two weeks, so that we can expand the apron; so that Lagos can have the full airport in full use to 100 per cent.”

However, Sirika could not carry out his threat until the end of his tenure on May 29.

Last year, the Federal Government had demolished the headquarters of the Accident Investigation Bureau located behind the new international terminal.

NITDA Opens Application for AI Developers Group Training

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2023

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the supervision of Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has opened the application for the group training of Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers in Abuja.

NITDA on Wednesday declared the application open in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) with the agency also saying that the group training is for the Cohort 11 AI developers.

“The free monthly programme at National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Abuja, aligns with NITDA’s goal to train one million Nigerian developers,” the statement read.

NITDA said that two tracks are available for different skill levels and these are the Beginner and Intermediary.

NITDA Charges Startups To Solve Local Problems With Technologies

It is open to Nigerian youths aged 15 and above, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, students, graduates and tech enthusiasts.

NITDA has also urged applicants to note that this opportunity is available to those residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, or have logistic arrangements.

For details and applications, applicants on the beginner’s level can register at https://bit.ly/3SvJ2Zy while is for those applying for the intermediary level.

JUST IN: NLC Threatens A two-day Warning Strike Next Week

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2023

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its 52 affiliate unions across the country have threatened to go on a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday, September 5 over hardship in the country.

The Congress threatened to go on an indefinite shutdown of the nation if the federal government fails to take steps to address the “excruciating mass suffering” being faced by Nigerians.

NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero addressed reporters at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of the Congress.

NLC President and Counterpart (TUC), Say President Tinubu Makes Fresh Commitments

He said: “The NLC NEC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.

“To commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday & Wednesday the 5th & 6th of September, 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the State vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.”

Details soon…

Photo Speak: Full Moon In Cape Sounion, Near Athens, Greece

By

Angel Gimalo

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September 1, 2023

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The Super Blue Moon — one of the biggest and brightest moons of the year — rose on Aug. 30; inspiring skywatchers around the world to reach for their cameras and capture some incredible photographs.

The last Super Blue Moon for 14 years rose over the eastern horizon in the Aquarius constellation just after sunset tonight at around 7:10 p.m. EDT (2310 GMT). It then set just before sunrise on Thursday, Aug. 31 at around 06:46 EDT (1046 GMT).

The latest full moon is referred to as a Blue Moon, a term that can represent one of two things: Either the third full moon in a season that has four full moons; or, more commonly, the second of two full moons that fall in a calendar month.

And similar to the previous full moon on Aug. 1, this Blue Moon was a “supermoon,” a popular term for a full moon that occurs when our natural satellite is closer to Earth, making it appear just slightly larger and brighter in the sky.

Top 10 Most Funded Nigerian Startups As of August 2023

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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Across the globe, Nigerian startups have become a force to reckon with as they continue to churn out innovative solutions that attract the attention of investors who are seeking high returns.

And with each investment yielding as much as expected returns, doors are being opened for more funding for both the old and new innovators coming out of the country.

This was why even amidst the global economic headwinds that saw several big tech companies laying off workers in 2022, Nigerian startups still attracted over $1.2 billion in funding in the year.

Although this was slightly lower than the $1.5 billion recorded in 2021, the country still remained the preferred destination for global venture capital and angel investors seeking to invest in Africa.

From pre-series to series D, many Nigerian startups have crossed through all stages of fundraising and are now also investing in other startups.

Yet, the need for more funding keeps rising as more tech-savvy Nigerians keep coming up with innovations that require injection of funds to scale.

As of today, while several startups are still bootstrapping and hoping to land their first paycheque in the near future, many innovative companies are counting millions in funding and are still hoping for more to expand their businesses.

The surge in funding for Nigerian startups is, no doubt, having several positive impacts on the Nigerian economy. It creates jobs, drives innovation, and helps to attract foreign investment. Nigerian startups are also playing an increasingly important role in solving some of Nigeria’s most pressing problems, such as financial inclusion, poverty, unemployment, and healthcare.

Despite the slowdown this year, Nigerian startups are still raising funds. Looking at those who had raised in the past and even those who raised funds as recently as this month, Nairametrics looked at the top 10 most funded startups in Nigeria based on the amount they have raised so far:

MONIEPOINT ($55.5 million)

Just about a year ago, fintech startup, Moniepoint, which was formerly TeamApt, announced its biggest raise of $50 million plus to expand its credit offerings. While the company did not assign any letter to the round to determine its stage, industry watchers said it could be classified as a pre-Series C round because the company was still looking to raise a Series C in 2023.

The latest round, which was co-led by QED Investors and Novastar Ventures, brought the company’s total funding to $57.5 million, having raised $5.5 million raised $5.5 million in capital in a Series A round led by Quantum Capital Partners in February 2019. The company was reported to have bootstrapped its way to Series A.

THRIVEAGRIC ($65.4 million)

Nigeria’s technology-driven agric startup, ThriveAgric, is currently the most funded agritech startup in Nigeria and one of the top 10 leading startups by funding. The company’s latest round was a $56.4 million in debt funding from commercial banks and institutional investors, which was announced in March last year.

The latest raise brought its total funding to $65.4 million as the company had earlier 2020 secured another $9 million from investors.

KONGO ($79.5 million)

Konga is Nigeria’s pioneer e-commerce marketplace with verticals in payment, travel, health and logistics. The company, which was acquired by Zinox in 2018 had raised a total of $79.5 million before its acquisition. Its latest funding round was $41 million series C round led by Naspers in 2015.

In 2014, Konga raised $25 million in Series B, which came after a $10 million Series A in 2013 and a $3.5 million Seed round in 2012, all led by Kinnevik AB with participation from Naspers.

KUDA BANK ($91 million)

Nigeria’s digital bank, Kuda, is also among one of the most funded startups in Nigeria as of today. Kuda. The bank has raised a total of $91.6 million and the latest was a $55 million Series B round announced in August 2021.

Earlier in March of the same year, Kuda had raised $25 million in a Series A round led by Valar Ventures. In November 2020, the startup had announced a seed round of $10 million led by Target Global.

TRADEDEPOT ($123 million)

TradeDepot, Nigeria’s e-commerce startup, which connects international brands to small businesses in Africa, has raised a total of $123 million in funding. Its latest round was a $110 million series B announced in December 2021.

In July 2020, Trade Depot had raised $10 million to expand its business into financial services and credit offerings for retailers. Before that, the company’s first raise was a $3 million investment led by Partech back in 2018.

LUMOS GLOBAL ($125 million)

Nigerian Off-Grid Solar Company Lumos Global has raised a total of $125 million to date. Its latest raise was a $35 million financing from U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to expand its existing market for reliable, accessible and clean solar power in Nigeria.

In December 2016, Lumos Global had raised $90 Million, comprising $50 million debt and $40 million in equity. The investors included Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Sub-Saharan Africa-focused investment firm Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers, VLTCM and Israeli cleantech venture specialist ICV.

MOOVE ($335 million)

Nigerian-born mobility fintech company, Moove, has continued to secure funding from different investors, the latest being $76 million raised this August and led by Mubadala Investment Company. The financing consists of $28 million in equity, $10 million in venture debt from funds and accounts, and $38 million in previously undisclosed funds raised over the past year.

While the latest raise brought its total funding to $335 million, the company had in July 2023, announced its $8 million funding from Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) to significantly expand its existing fleet of Suzuki S-Presso vehicles assembled in Ghana.

In 2022, Moove raised a total of $183.3 million across five funding rounds. It raised $135 million between January and June, then an additional $30 million in December.

ANDELA ($381 million)

Andela, a fully remote company that helps tech companies build remote engineering teams is currently valued at $1.5 billion following a September 2021 $200 million Series E round led by SoftBank’s Softbank Vision Fund 2.

The Series E round brought Andela’s total raise to $381 million since being founded in Lagos in 2014. Before that, the company had raised $100 million in Series D in 2019.

Earlier in 2017, Andela raised $40 million in Series C funding led by pan-African venture firm CRE Venture Capital with participation from DBL Partners, Amplo, Salesforce Ventures, and Africa-focused TLcom Capital. The company had raised a total of $40 million before that time.

FLUTTERWAVE ($475 million)

Flutterwave, the fintech giant co-founded by Olugbenga Agboola has raised a total of $475 million. The company which is now working towards an Initial Public Offer (IPO) is one of the seven unicorns in Africa.

Flutterwave’s latest raise was in February 2022 when it raised $250 million in a Series D round led by investors including Facebook Inc co-founder Eduardo Saverin’s venture capital firm B Capital Group and Boston-based hedge fund Whale Rock Capital Management. Series D tripled the company’s valuation to over $3 billion in just twelve months.

In March 2021, the San Francisco-headquartered and Lagos-based startup raised $170 million in a Series C round from Tiger Global and Avenir at a valuation of $1 billion.

Flutterwave had raised a $35 million Series B in 2020 and a $20 million Series A in 2018.

OPAY ($570 million)

Chinese-backed and Africa-focused fintech company, OPay has raised a total of $570 million in three successive rounds. Its latest raise was announced in August 2021 when it secured $400 million in new financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The raise brought the company’s valuation to $2 billion.

Before that, Opay had announced two funding rounds in 2019, $50 million in June and a $120 million Series B in November. This Series C round was the largest on record in Africa’s tech scene on par with Jumia’s identical raise in 2016.

Nigerian Customs Urges Transparency In Vehicle Imports

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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The Nigeria Customs Service, Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited PTML Command has urged importers of vehicles and their agents to imbibe transparency while making declarations for their imported vehicles.

Customs Area Controller, Ports Terminal Multiservice Limited, PTML Command, Comptroller Saidu Yusuf who said this at a stakeholders sensitization meeting in Lagos state on Wednesday on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation, dispelled the rumour that the VIN method has been cancelled.

Comptroller Yusuf reiterated an earlier position on the matter issued by the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters that the VIN Valuation Process remains fully operational and effective.

Temporary Vehicle Tag – Customs Agents Disapprove New Charge Imposed By Lagos State

He added that the trim numbers are critical in identifying distinct versions or tiers within a specific car model. They delineate varying configurations, features, and levels of equipment associated different models.

The CAC said the trim of vehicles are not same for all kinds while urging declarants to have their transaction values.

He blamed some declarants for not being transparent because they go inputing what they think is the lowest base value which necessitates interventions like demand notice and alerts.

The PTML command boss advised them to apply invoice and transaction values as a way of promoting transparency and building integrity in the trade process of vehicle clearance.

Comptroller Yusuf said Section 24 Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023 provides for advance ruling for stakehokders to submit to the NCS before a transaction and the ruling will be binding on the service and the importer or agent. This according to the Controller is a unique trade facilitation method provided for by the new law

The CAC who described the meeting as being in line with the law also said customs stakeholders partnership is a provision of section 29 NCSA 2023.

According to him, meetings like this is meant to rub minds, identify challenges and jointly work out solutions on how best to resolve the challenges. He added that the meeting is also in tandem with WCO and WTO trade facilitation thrusts which encourage consultations.

He reminded the stakeholders that the use of code 846 for clearing of non standard VIN has been further modified to reduce human contact through what he called e-846. This saves time and makes trade easier.

“I must commend the system because the reduction of human contact is very effective and beneficial to all as it saves time. I personally monitor electronically from my office and can confirm that my officers are implementing it diligently.

” Where ever you are experiencing delay in the process under my command, please draw my attention to it. My doors are open and will be more open to all of you. The help desk headed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer is active and responding to all inquiries online and in real time” Comptroller Yusuf said.

Keyamo Suspends Nigeria Air Project, Others

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has suspended the Nigeria Air project, the concession project and other contracts stressing that he owes it to the government and Nigerians to give an honest assessment.

The minister said the concession and national carrier will be suspended until he briefs the President.

Keyamo also said that Muritala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, will be shut down from October 1, 2023, for total maintenance work at the airport.

Nigeria Air Has No Operating Licence-Airlines

The minister therefore directed all international airlines to vacate the MMIA, from October 1, 2023.

The minister disclosed this on Thursday during a tour at the international airports in Lagos, where he was accompanied by Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, MD, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.

The minister while speaking at the sideline of the airport tour, directed the airlines and companies operating in the airport to move to the new terminal, MMIA Terminal Two constructed by the Chinese company.

“All airlines should vacate the MMIA before the 1st of October, 2023 and relocate to MMIA terminal,” he said.

Keyamo also suspended all contracts, projects, and concessions in the sector until further notice.

NIN Registration: FG Records 48% of Monthly Target

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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The National Identity Management Commission has only been able to meet 47.6 per cent of the Federal Government’s monthly target of 2.5 million registrations in the first eight months of the year.

This is as the number of Nigerians with National Identification Numbers increased to 102.39 million in August despite a slowdown in the number of enrolments.

According to the NIMC data obtained and analysed by our correspondent, enrolment has fallen by 35.14 per cent year-on-year in the first eight months of the year as only 8.36 million (as of August 28, 2023) people have enrolled for NIN so far this year from the 12.89 million people that had enrolled as of July 7, 2022.

NIN enrolment per month on average is 1.19 million per month in the first eight months of 2023. The data indicated that the country is falling short of its 2.5 million National Identification Number enrolment target per month as set in the National Development Plan 2021-2025.

In 2022, the commission was able to register 21.33 million people, with NIN enrolment rising from 72.7 million as of January 1, 2022, to 94.03 million as of December 31, 2022. The average NIN enrolment per month was 1.78 million per month for the year.

In the plan, the Federal Government stated that it will enroll 100 million Nigerians in three years, and 2.5 million people monthly. It said the paucity of data was becoming a problem in the country and this needed to be addressed with a registration drive.

The government revealed, “The latest of these is the Nigerian Communications Commission linking SIM Registration Data to the National Identity Number Database. NIMC plans to register an additional 100 million people in three years and has embarked on a massive registration drive. The plan is to enroll 2.5 million people monthly for the next three years.”

NIMC issues 30 million NIN in one year as data base hits 70 million

Commenting on the NIN enrolment for the month, NIMC said, “NIMC’s enrolment figures as of August 28, 2023, currently stand at over 102.39 million unique records. The highest cumulative enrolment figure of over 11.17 million was recorded in Lagos State.”

The total number of diasporan enrollment stood at 482,670, and the overall data revealed that men (58.15 million) have enrolled for NIN more than women (44.24 million). The top states for NIN enrollment include Lagos (11.17 million), Kano (9.08 million), Kaduna (6.35 million), Ogun (4.32 million), and Oyo (3.97 million).

Bottom states include Bayelsa (642,233), Ebonyi (818,173), Ekiti (1.01 million), Cross-River (1.17 million), and Taraba (1.48 million).

At a recent dinner in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, affirmed the bank’s collaboration with NIMC to ensure the successful rollout and registration of digital national IDs in the country.

He restated the commitment to provide at least 148 million people of working age with a digital national ID by the middle of 2024. He noted the potential of leveraging digital technologies to drive transformation.

He said, “Our main mission here in Nigeria is to eliminate poverty, make lives better create jobs, for all Nigerian youth. One of the areas that we think have the greatest potential is the area of using digital technologies to transform. Now to do that it begins with having this digital national ID.

“So, one of the main partnerships we have is working with NIMC to ensure the rollout of the registration so that all 213/220million Nigerians have a digital national ID, beginning of course with all people of working age and I think the target for that is at least 148 million people by the middle of next year.”

Under the Digital Identification for Development project, the World Bank’s International Development Association credit is expected to finance the country’s digital identity drive with $115m, alongside co-financing of $100m from the French Agency for Development and $215m from the European Investment Bank, bring the total amount to $430m.

A report recently claimed that only $35.6m of the amount had been disbursed for the implementation of the project as of April 30, 2023.

Fire Guts Five-Storey Building Occupied By Homeless People In South Africa, President Calls For Investigation

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 31, 2023

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Social media footage shows deadly fire in Johannesburg — Flames rise from a building amid a deadly fire, in Johannesburg, South Africa, August 31, 2023, in this still image obtained from a social media video. X/@odirileram/via REUTERS

A deadly fire in Johannesburg’s inner city was “a wake-up call” for South Africa, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Seventy-four people were killed – including 12 children – after a blaze in a five-storey building, which was being occupied by homeless people.

More than 50 others were injured.

Earlier, the city of Johannesburg confirmed it owned the building, but said cartels had taken it over. Officials say the cause of the deadly fire is unclear.

In a news conference at the site of the fire, Mr Ramaphosa said the incident needed to be investigated and lessons learnt to prevent future tragedies.

“It’s a wake-up call for us to begin to address the situation of housing in the inner city,” the South African leader said.

The building used to be a home for abused women and children, but once the lease expired, it was “hijacked”, President Ramaphosa explained to reporters.

Many properties around the area where the blaze happened have been deemed unfit to live in.

Yet these old blocks, abandoned by their owners or the city authorities, are full of families, often paying rent to criminal gangs who run them.

Some of those who use the buildings include undocumented migrants, mostly from other African countries.

The buildings, which lack running water, toilets or a legal electricity connection, are then said to have been “hijacked”.

South Africa faces a chronic housing shortage, with an estimated 15,000 people estimated to be homeless in Johannesburg.

“We need to get on top of this and find effective ways of dealing with problems of accommodation, of housing, and services in the inner city,” Mr Ramaphosa added.

He also commended emergency services, who arrived at the scene 10 minutes after the fire was reported.

Johannesburg city manager Floyd Brink said 200 families were affected by the fire and “all efforts” were taken to provide accommodation.

Exploring Anzob Tunnel, Tajikistan

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 31, 2023

0

The Anzob Tunnel, sometimes referred to as Istiqlol or Ushtur Tunnel, is an important tunnel that is located on the M34 highway which connects the cities of Dushanbe and Khujand in the western part of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The great importance of the tunnel comes from the connection link it represents, since it connects Tajikistan’s capital city with the second biggest city in the country, Khujand.

Previously, in order for the Tajik people to get from one to the other city, they had to travel across the border to Uzbekistan via a dirt road which was dangerous as it had severe avalanches that blocked the road which in turn left the people with the more expensive option to fly to Khujand.

For now, Anzob Tunnel is not illuminated, it is almost always flooded and the enormous potholes represent even greater danger to the travelers as they are spread throughout the tunnel and really difficult to spot.

With total length of 5 km (3 mi), and cost of some 4 billion dollars, the tunnel was built by Iran and officially opened in 2006 with the purpose of promoting the new Silk Road which will connect Iran and China.

Despite the enormous cost, the Tajik Government had to build it due to the long-term diplomatic disputes the country had with Uzbekistan, as they were halting traffic whenever they wanted.

According to the locals, the tunnel is also known as “The Tunnel of Death” because there are some stories telling that they have seen people who were trapped inside and died due to suffocation from carbon monoxide.

Even after partial completion of the project, limited traffic was allowed to pass through the tunnel in order for the travelers to avoid being stopped in Uzbekistan, however, in May 2014 the government signed an agreement for the Iranians to finish with the construction.

The Iranian company Sabir Co. did some repair work with the hope to improve the conditions, nonetheless, there are still big problems with which the vehicles are facing.

Officially inaugurated in August 2017, and reportedly being in much better condition, Anzob Tunnel is still considered to be among the most dangerous ones in the world, and probably will stay on the list as it needs much more improvements to be done.