Business
Kaduna Airport: FG Installs World-Class Safety Equipment
The Federal Government has successfully installed safety equipment such as instrument landing system, low level wind share and other navigational aids to facilitate smooth operations at Kaduna International Airport.
Alhaji Muhammed Joji, Chairman, Transit Committee for Abuja-Kaduna Movement during Abuja Airport closure, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen yesterday.
The installation of the equipment is to enable the airport take all types of aircraft as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would be closed for six weeks for repair of its runway.
Joji, who is also the Managing Director, Skypower Express Airways, added that the adequate safety measures had been taken to enable the airport accommodate all types of aircraft.
He said that world class Instrument Landing System (ILS), localizer and glide slope had been successfully installed, adding that the calibration of the equipment would take place any moment.
ILS, according to him, operates as ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision lateral and vertical guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals.
“With glide slope instrument, the pilot ensured the aircraft followed the glide path of approximately three degrees above ground level to remain above obstructions and reach the runway at the proper touchdown point.
“The basic structure of the runway with a length of 3,000 metres and 60 metres wide is sufficient to handle a wide body aircraft.
“Therefore, we have recommended that the extended part of the runway be converted to blast pad covered with loose gravel in the event that an aircraft overshot the runway,’’ he said.
Joji explained that the need for Blast Pad arose after the Air France A340 Aircraft number F-GLZO overshot the runway during landing at Toronto Airport, Canada on Aug. 2, 2005.
He told NAN that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), stipulated that a minimum of 300 metres be provided at either end of the runway as blast pad.
According to him, this kind of loose gravels provided to slow down the aircraft is most effective using reverse thrusting and braking system.
The Captain also disclosed that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had commenced the expansion of packing space with the construction of additional apron in the airport.
He frowned at the decision of some foreign airlines not to fly to Kaduna, stressing that it was wrong for foreign airlines to dictate to their host country.
According to him, let us wait till March 8 when the operation will commence to see if airlines will or will not fly to Kaduna.
“Eight international and eight domestic airlines will have to move to Kaduna but Emirate and Kenya airways have already pulled out till further notice.
“The expected increase in activities at Kaduna airport require a total restructuring of the airport and this include but not limited to land and airside.
“During the six weeks closure period, there will be 8,700 aircraft movement to and from Kaduna with an average daily movement of 2,017 aircraft.
“Currently, the passenger movement during the period will be 605,769, which translates to 100,962 passengers traffic, even from other states in the north who normally fly to Abuja,’’ he said.
Joji, however, urged FAAN to stop collecting parking charges from airlines, saying the practice was not in tandem with international best practices.
While calling on government to encourage airlines through formulation of right policies, he said that the country’s business environment was unfavourable to aviation business.
The Federal Government had earlier announced its decision to shut Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for the reconstruction of repair of its runway from March 8.
It had also announced the diversion of all Abuja bound flights during the period to Kaduna airport.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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