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Senate Summons Aviation Minister, Keyamo, Over Hike in Flight Ticket Prices

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, along with heads of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), over the sudden and steep increase in domestic flight ticket prices.

The minister and heads of the agencies are expected to appear before lawmakers in a closed-door session on a date to be announced.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai.

While presenting his motion, Mr Abdulfatai lamented that airfares across Nigerian airlines had risen sharply due to the festive season, a development he said would force many Nigerians to forgo travel because of insecurity on the roads.

The senator, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District, said he had previously engaged airline operators on the issue, but the high fares persisted. He therefore urged the Senate to empower its aviation committee to intervene.

One-way airfares on some domestic routes have risen by as much as 150 per cent, with tickets costing at least N300,000. Before the festive period, domestic flight tickets averaged around N120,000, but prices have reportedly surged to as high as N400,000.

Given the worsening insecurity on major highways, many Nigerians prefer to travel by air, but the soaring cost of tickets is a major hindrance.

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Contributing to the debate, Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), described the fare hike as unacceptable in a country where the minimum wage is N70,000. He noted that a civil servant would have to save for up to six months to afford a one-way flight.

“The synopsis of the motion was given that the minimum wage for Nigeria is 70,000 Naira. It means a civil servant will have to save five months’ salary or even six months’ salary before they could afford a one-way ticket to Lagos,” he said.

Mr Aliero, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), questioned the rationale behind the sudden increase in air fares and insisted that the Senate must summon all stakeholders to explain the hike.

“Mr President, this is unaffordable, and there has not been a corresponding increase in aviation fares. There has not been a corresponding increase in the airport charges from either FAN, NCAA or Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. So we need to summon all the stakeholders and question them on why this hike is announced.

“And not only that, Mr. President, we need to halt this increase in order to save Nigerians from exploitation. Mr. President, it is normal for airlines at the end of the year to increase fares, but not as it is announced today. An increase of 10 to 15 per cent is understandable, but not an increase of over 200 per cent. So if we do that, honestly speaking, Mr. President, we are allowing exploitation of Nigerians,” he added.

Peter Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) also condemned the sharp increase, saying he attempted to book a flight from Abuja to Enugu and was shocked to discover that Air Peace Airline was charging N500,000 and Ibom Air, N460,000.

“Just this morning, I called my personal assistant to get a ticket for me for the 13th of December from Abuja to Enugu, and shockingly, Mr. President, the cost for a one-way ticket from Abuja to Enugu is N500,000 for Air Peace and N460,000 for Ibom Air. Mr. President, this is unheard of. This is over a 400 per cent increment at a go. We never had it this way,” he said.

Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West) called for a comprehensive engagement with all aviation stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, accused airlines of exploiting Nigerians.

“It is very clear that Nigerians are being exploited and people are taking advantage of Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Akpabio subsequently put the motion to a voice vote, and it received overwhelming support.

After taking the vote, the senate president said the planned meeting with the aviation minister and relevant agencies was necessary to address the abysmal fare increase and to prevent disruptions to travel during the Christmas period.

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Tinubu Swears in Disu as Substantive IGP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police at a ceremony held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.

Disu took the oath of office at 2:53 pm, following the reading of his citation by the State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye.

The ceremony was witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, cabinet members, and other dignitaries.

President Tinubu arrived at the Council Chambers at 2:48 pm, after which the National Anthem was rendered, followed by the presentation of citations for the appointees.

Immediately after Disu’s swearing-in, the President also swore in newly appointed commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The ceremony preceded the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting, which began at 03:01 pm.

The FCSC officials include Prof. Ngbea Gabriel (Benue) and Omoregie Idahagbon (Edo).

RMAFC commissioners were Abubakar Wamakko (Sokoto), Sen. Marafa Abba (Taraba), Ahmed Waziri (Adamawa), Hadizatu Mustapha (Borno), Helen Bob (Bayelsa) and Oladele Gboyega (Osun).

Disu’s confirmation as substantive IGP follows the unanimous endorsement of his appointment by the Nigeria Police Council on Monday.Overseas education consulting

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, at 2:00 pm shortly before the Federal Executive Council meeting, the first for the year

Disu took the oath of office before Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ministers, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Tunji Olaopa, family members and other guests.

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Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; and Head of Service, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu spoke glowingly about Disu during Monday’s Police Council meeting, commending him for his exemplary services, particularly during his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos between 2015 and 2021, where he earned recognition for excellence in crime control.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule also commended the President’s choice, noting that Disu’s appointment was based on his excellent career record.

FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike lauded Disu’s professionalism, recalling his service in Rivers State as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department and anti-kidnapping unit between 2014 and 2015.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah seconded the motion endorsing the appointment during Monday’s Council meeting.

Disu’s confirmation comes barely a week after President Tinubu appointed him acting IGP following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun on February 23, 2026.

Although Egbetokun officially cited “family issues” in his resignation letter, The Summitpost reported that the former police chief was summoned to the Presidential Villa and asked to step down over his resistance to the President’s directive to withdraw police officers from VIP protection duties, his opposition to state policing, and alleged vindictive conduct toward colleagues.

Disu, 59, was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State and joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

He holds multiple qualifications in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship.

Before his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force CID Annex in Lagos.

Like his predecessor, Disu served under President Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor from 1999 to 2007. While Egbetokun was the Chief Security Officer, Disu served as Aide-de-Camp.

During his decoration as acting IGP last week, President Tinubu charged him to “make the police better than you met it,” emphasising the need to strengthen discipline, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.Overseas education consulting

In his response, Disu pledged to end the era of impunity within the Force and enforce zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses.

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Nigeria’s Education Minister Tunji Alausa Weighs Resignation to Run for Lagos Governor

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is reportedly weighing resignation from the Federal Executive Council as he considers a bid for the governorship of Lagos State, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.

Several unconfirmed reports have it that Dr Alausa has been consulting political allies and key stakeholders over the possibility of entering the race ahead of the next electoral cycle.

While there has been no formal announcement from the minister or the presidency, the development has stirred conversations within political circles in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

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If confirmed, the move would signal a significant political transition for Alausa, who has overseen policy initiatives within the education sector, including reforms aimed at strengthening tertiary institutions and improving regulatory oversight.

Political analysts say a resignation to pursue elective office would be consistent with Nigeria’s electoral laws and long-standing practice, which often require public office holders to step down before participating fully in partisan primaries.

Lagos State remains one of Nigeria’s most strategically important political battlegrounds, given its economic weight and symbolic influence in national politics. The governorship contest is expected to draw high-profile contenders across party lines.

Neither the Federal Ministry of Education nor the Presidency has issued an official statement at the time of publication.

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Umar Haruna Emerges as New Kano APC Chairman, Pledges Unity and 2027 Victory

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Umar Haruna Doguwa, former Commissioner for Water Resources, has emerged as the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano.

Doguwa, who resigned from the cabinet of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Monday to contest the plum seat of the ruling party, emerged unopposed to take over from Abdullahi Abbas, a close associate of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Doguwa, who handed over the party leadership to Abbas after he led the party for four years under the second tenure of Senate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, returned to the party leadership 10 years after.

Doguwa emerged alongside 23 state executives through the stakeholders’ consensus and was subsequently admitted by the affirmation of 2,420 delegates at the Congress held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Sanu Abacha Stadium, Kofar-Mata, Kano.

Other state party executives include Salisu Ahmad, Vice Chairman; Professor Mohammad Yusuf, State Secretary; and Professor Nura Yaro Dawakin-Tofa, Assistant Secretary.

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Also elected are legal adviser Abdul Adamu Fagge SAN; Kabiru Sule Rogo, Treasurer; Umar Yusuf, Assistant Treasurer; Mauruf Abdullahi Garo, Financial Secretary; Dr. Kabiru Husaini Zawachiki, Organising Secretary; and Hauwalu Abdullahi, Publicity Secretary.

Declaring the new state executive winner, Mr. Lateef Daban, team lead of the National Congress delegation at APC headquarters, affirmed the option of affirmation that produced the new leadership while applauding the party’s stakeholders for working in the spirit of unity.

The outgoing Chairman Abbas expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the party for 10 years and sought forgiveness from stakeholders for any mistakes he may have made while executing the mandate of his office.

Abbas, reminded that the party will remain more united and stronger, delivering Bola Tinubu as President and Abba Kabir Yusuf as Governor of Kano State in 2027.

“Everything that has a beginning definitely has an end. The time has come for me to step aside for new leadership of the party after serving for 10 years. It is indeed a privilege, and I really appreciate members’ support and the opportunity to serve.

“Let me use this medium to seek forgiveness from whoever I have offended during the course of our duty, and I thank all those who supported us throughout our tenure. I want to specially appreciate Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and party members for their support. I call for support for those coming to the leadership, the way you have supported me.” Abbas said.

In his acceptance remarks, the new Chairman, Doguwa, pledged to build a stronger and more united party structure to deliver an overwhelming victory for President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf in the 2027 election.

The Congress was attended by Governor Yusuf, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Ismaila Falgore; member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Abba Bichi, and special stakeholders.

The conduct was carried out in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the state resident electoral commissioner, Amb. Abdu Zango.

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