Access Holdings Plc has appointed Bolaji Agbede as the acting group chief executive officer following the death of Herbert Wigwe. The appointment, subject to Central Bank of Nigeria's approval, aligns with the company's succession planning. Agbede, with nearly three decades of experience, previously served as the firm's most senior founding executive director in charge of business support. The announcement was made in a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Group.

The presidency, through Garba Shehu, refutes claims by Gudaji Kazaure regarding a missing N89.09 trillion from stamp duty, asserting that the allegations are false. Shehu provides a detailed account of the stamp duty controversy, explaining the formation and dissolution of related committees, and counters Kazaure's accusations against the Central Bank of Nigeria and other government bodies. The article emphasizes the administration's efforts to address and rectify the issue, highlighting the legal and procedural steps taken to ensure transparency and accountability.

Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, emphasized the economic significance of Lagos, highlighting its financial institutions, industries, and cultural heritage. He announced the federal government's swift approval for a new airport in Lagos, citing the need to connect the city to Africa and the world. The new airport in Lekki is seen as a crucial infrastructure project to support Lagos' expanding economy and facilitate better connectivity.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated that the state has psychologically recovered from the destruction caused by the #EndSARS protests, although infrastructural recovery is still ongoing. The protests, which began in October 2020 as a youth-led movement against police brutality, were hijacked by hoodlums, leading to significant damage and loss of life. Sanwo-Olu highlighted ongoing efforts to rebuild infrastructure, including a major project to develop a 15-storey edifice for the Igbosere high court.

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and PDP presidential candidate, criticizes the Nigerian government's handling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation's transformation, claiming it lacks transparency. He questions the scope and process of the privatization, expressing concerns that neither Nigerians nor the international community have seen clear details. President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier unveiled the NNPC Limited, stating it would enhance the oil industry's capacity and market relevance under new legal frameworks.

The Nigerian naira fell to N658 per dollar at the parallel market, representing a 6.13 percent depreciation from the previous week. Bureaux De Change operators attribute the decline to ongoing foreign exchange supply constraints. The Central Bank of Nigeria maintains that the parallel market does not reflect the true exchange rate, with official rates significantly lower. The CBN continues efforts to boost foreign exchange inflow.

Nigeria's airlines have significantly increased domestic flight fares due to rising aviation fuel costs and a foreign exchange crisis. Azman Air, Air Peace, Ibom Air, and Max Air have all raised their prices, with some routes seeing fares as high as N130,000. The Airline Operators Association of Nigeria highlighted the surge in fuel prices and the forex crisis as major challenges. The federal government, represented by the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, acknowledged the issues but indicated that immediate solutions are not available, although efforts are being made to address the fuel price hike through refinery revitalization.

Oil theft in Nigeria is significantly impacting the country's ability to supply gas to international buyers, particularly Portugal, which relies heavily on Nigerian liquefied natural gas (LNG). Osagie Okunbor, country chair of Shell companies in Nigeria and acting chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), highlighted the issue during the 60th anniversary of OPTS. Portugal's government has expressed concerns about potential gas supply challenges this winter. Okunbor emphasized ongoing efforts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and other federal agencies to combat oil theft. He also noted the significance of the recently signed Nigerian-Moroccan Gas Pipeline, which aims to enhance gas supply to Europe.

Domestic airlines in Nigeria, including Ibom Air, are losing at least N4.3 billion annually due to restricted flight operations, primarily because of limited runway availability and other operational deficiencies. George Uriesi, COO of Ibom Air, highlighted these issues at the 26th annual League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents conference in Lagos, urging the government to improve airfield infrastructure and provide necessary landing systems. He also called for regulatory adherence to airport master plans and suggested establishing a local aircraft financing vehicle. Olusegun Koiki, chairman of the league, emphasized the need for urgent financial support for domestic operators.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed telecom companies to stop providing services to digital lenders under investigation. FCCPC's CEO, Babatunde Irukera, announced the enforcement action in Lagos, targeting lenders like Soko Lending Limited for unethical practices. Payment service firms such as Flutterwave, OPay, Paystack, and Monify have also been ordered to cease transactions with these lenders. The FCCPC's actions aim to curb exploitative lending practices and enhance consumer protection.