Business
Federal Government sacks 20 FAAN Directors, demotes Managers
About 21 senior officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were on Wednesday sacked in a major shake-up.
Those affected, including directors, general managers and deputy general managers, were reportedly handed their termination of appointment letters.
Sources at the head office of FAAN in Lagos told our correspondent that no fewer than 10 general managers were reportedly demoted. They were said to have earlier been improperly promoted.
It was learnt from an official of the Ministry of Aviation that the sacking was the first batch of the shake-up planned by the government to reposition FAAN.
Stakeholders said the Federal Government had been concerned about certain issues at FAAN such as the engagement of about 40 general managers, the creation of many directorates that brought about duplication of duties and raised the authority’s monthly overhead to an estimated N800m.
Sources said the government planned to reduce the number of workers by way of restructuring in order to cushion the effects of the current economic crisis.
Some of the general managers were said not to have the requisite qualifications for the sensitive positions they held, as many of them, including deputy general managers, had reportedly left the university about 10 years ago and could not have qualified for the office they held.
Almost all the directors were said to have been affected, while an acting director of finance was said to have been demoted to Grade Level 10 and redeployed to the Department of Information Communications and Technology.
Many of the affected officers were moved from Grade Levels 17 and 16 down to 10, 12 and 14.
Some of the demoted workers were said to have received their letters, authorising them to report to their superiors, who were their subordinates before the exercise.
Meanwhile, new directors of finance and accounts, as well as commercial and business development, have been appointed.
The Federal Government is also reportedly planning to reduce the number of directorates in the aviation agencies as part of the restructuring exercise.
This, it was learnt, would affect the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
The restructuring at the airports is said to be the fallout of a panel’s report headed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, which recommended the need for a proper placement in FAAN.
The NAMA may get a new managing director before December as its acting Managing Director, Emmanuel Anasi, is expected to proceed on terminal leave by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has said it will hold a public hearing with stakeholders to discuss the proposed concession of some airport terminals by the Federal Government.
The Chairman of the committee, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated this in Lagos during the oversight visit by the committee members to the aviation agencies on Wednesday.
He said the public hearing would give stakeholders the opportunity to make their input.
Onyejeocha said, “I do not believe in the concession of the four major airports that we have because I know those four airports are funding the other 18 international airports. And of course, you have to look at the issue of workers and the Nigerian people as a whole.
“We are going to conduct a public hearing where we will take all the issues together; where we will be able to ask Nigerians and of course the key players in the aviation industry, including the workers, and even journalists, to tell us what they think.”
The 18-member delegation said it was in Lagos to see how the sector was faring amid the current economic recession.
Onyejeocha expressed disappointment at the slow pace of work at the new international terminal being constructed by the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company.
According to her, with the current pace of work, the project may not be delivered by December as projected.
“We have three other terminals that we are hopeful will be delivered by December; so what it simply means is that Lagos is lagging behind and we will take it seriously,” she said.
The committee also visited the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, where the regulatory body was asked to do everything necessary to keep domestic carriers in business.
FirstBank Partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament
Lagos, 30 March 2025 – FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites & KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.
Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships – 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.”
Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”
Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents. “Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”
The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.
FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launchpad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.
Business
Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning
Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning
Alpha Morgan Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to education and institutional development through its support for the commissioning of the Redeemer’s University Business School.
The Business School was officially inaugurated by Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, at the commissioning ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Her Excellency, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Redeemers University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele; and other notable dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting institutions that drive intellectual growth and national development.
As part of its broader focus on knowledge sharing and thought leadership, Alpha Morgan Bank will host its Economic Review Webinar in May 2026, bringing together experts to share insights on key economic trends and opportunities.
The Bank’s involvement reflects its continued dedication to empowering institutions and shaping the future of business and leadership in Nigeria.
Read more about Alpha Morgan Bank on www.alphamorganbank.com
PHOTO
L-R: Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, Vice Chancellor, Redeemers University, Engr. Eloka Eje, Dr Perez Araka, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, Mother-In-Israel, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mr Ade Buraimo, MD/CEO Alpha Morgan Bank, Dr (Mrs) Oluwatomi Somefun, Dr. Simeon Ifere, at the inauguration of the Redeemer’s University Business School, Redemption City, Ogun State on Thursday 2nd April, 2026
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