A potential tragedy was averted on Wednesday after an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 operating from Lagos to Port Harcourt was forced to divert to Benin Airport following a loud bang from its left engine.

The aircraft, operating flight W3-740 with registration number 5N-MJF, was descending into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the flight crew reportedly heard a loud bang and observed abnormal engine indications.

In a statement released by the airline, Arik Air confirmed that the crew immediately took precautionary measures by shutting down the affected engine in line with safety procedures and diverting the aircraft to Benin Airport.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked. Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination,” the airline stated.

Arik Air apologised to passengers whose travel plans were disrupted, reiterating that the safety and wellbeing of its passengers remain its top priority.

NSIB Commences Investigation

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation into the incident, describing it as an in-flight engine anomaly.

According to Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, the crew detected abnormal engine readings mid-flight and carried out a precautionary engine shutdown before diverting safely to Benin.

“The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported,” Oladeji said.

Preliminary observations conducted at the diversion airport revealed significant damage to the affected engine based on an initial visual assessment.

Oladeji disclosed that an NSIB assessment team is en route to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).

The NSIB stated that the investigation is being conducted in line with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annex 13, as well as Nigerian civil aviation regulations. The bureau is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.

Members of the public with relevant information have been urged to contact the bureau through official channels as further updates will be provided in due course.

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The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni, has officially flagged off the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment Campaign with the theme, “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.”

Speaking during the launch, Mohammed urged Nigerians to make road safety a personal responsibility, emphasizing that driver behaviour remains the biggest threat to safety on the nation’s highways. He identified fatigue, speeding, and phone use while driving as the leading causes of road crashes, especially during the high-traffic Ember Months.

To ensure safer roads, the Corps Marshal announced nationwide deployment of personnel, free vehicle checks, and massive public sensitization exercises across the country.

Highlighting the Corps’ strides in digital innovation, Mohammed also unveiled the new contactless biometric driver’s licence system, which allows for instant on-the-spot printing and enhanced security features. He noted that the system eliminates delays, promotes transparency, and aligns Nigeria’s driver licensing process with global standards in road safety management and digital identification.

As part of the activities marking the flag-off, journalists were taken on an assessment tour of the National Drivers Licence Print Farm, where they observed the new contactless biometric capture process in operation.

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Abuja, Nigeria – A groundbreaking milestone for African aviation and higher education was achieved on Thursday with the official unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Africa’s first privately owned university dedicated exclusively to aeronautics and management.

Speaking at the world press conference and unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal (rtd) Professor Paul Jemitola, described the institution as “a revolution designed to shape the future of African aviation and leadership.”

He noted that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projects that Africa will require over 65,000 new aviation professionals by 2040, emphasizing that IBUAM is strategically positioned to fill this gap with locally trained, globally competitive professionals.

Minister of Aviation Hails Milestone for the Sector

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, praised the establishment of IBUAM as “a great feat for the aviation industry.”

He said the unveiling aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its five-point agenda, particularly in supporting private sector growth and human capital development.

“It is one of our five points agenda — one, the support for local entrepreneurs within our sector, and two, human capital development. It is a revolution,” Mr. Keyamo stated.

The Minister urged state governments to support indigenous students in gaining admission to IBUAM and highlighted the institution’s unique structure, which he said “is a combination of three institutions.”

He also encouraged the university to give special attention to air traffic control, warning that “the future of air flight in Africa will face a shortage of professionals in air controlling.”

Women Affairs Ministry Commends IBUAM’s Inclusivity

Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, the Special Adviser on Technical and Strategic Communication, Mrs. Chumi Okoye, lauded the initiative as “an extraordinary achievement and a bold demonstration of what is possible when vision meets determination.”

She emphasized that the university marks a historic opportunity for women in Nigeria and across Africa.

“For the first time, young women will have access to world-class education in aeronautics engineering and management at home without needing to go abroad. The university is a testament to Nigeria’s capacity for innovation and excellence,” she said.

Mrs. Okoye noted that the ministry will partner with IBUAM to train 100 young women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in the first phase of its collaboration with the institution.

“We’re opening new pathways for women in innovation, trade, and technical sectors such as aviation. Recent data reveals that only 13% of aviation jobs are held by women, and our goal is to significantly increase women’s participation and close this gap,” she added.

NCAA Endorses IBUAM’s Vision

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, also commended the establishment of the university, describing it as “timely and transformative.”

He noted that IBUAM “redefines the future of aviation education, profession, and management in Nigeria and Africa,” particularly as the sector continues to face challenges in capacity development and specialized technical training.

A Vision Rooted in Innovation — The Founder Speaks

In his remarks, Engr. Isaac Balami, founder of IBUAM and a respected aviation entrepreneur, said the university was born from a lifelong dream to build a world-class institution that would train Africans in Africa to global standards.

“For too long, we have depended on foreign institutions to train our pilots, engineers, and managers. IBUAM is proof that we can build excellence right here at home — by Africans, for Africa, and for the world,” Balami said.

He added that the university’s mission is not just to produce graduates but leaders equipped with skills, discipline, and vision to transform the continent’s aviation landscape.

“Our goal is to raise a new generation of aviation entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers who will drive Africa’s presence in global aviation. This is more than a university; it is a movement,” Balami stated.

Redefining the African Graduate

According to the Vice Chancellor, every student at IBUAM will combine academic training with hands-on aeronautical experience. Regardless of their discipline from Aerospace Engineering to Aviation Management or Computer Engineering students will be trained in Piloting and Leadership alongside their primary studies.

Graduates can earn:

• A Private Pilot License (PPL), with pathways to commercial certification.
• International aircraft maintenance certifications recognized by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Immersive Learning and Leadership Development

Students will receive over 1,000 hours of live aircraft experience and train with cutting-edge simulation technologies from global leaders such as Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.

Beyond academics, IBUAM offers a balanced lifestyle experience, with modern dining, sports, and recreational facilities that foster leadership, teamwork, and innovation.

Join the Future of African Aviation

IBUAM is now open for admissions to students across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

“This is where pilots graduate as entrepreneurs, engineers as innovators, and managers as visionaries,” Professor Jemitola said.

Prospective students can apply at www.ibuam.edu.ng to begin their journey into the future of African aviation.

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Air Peace has begun construction of West Africa’s largest aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The landmark project is expected to transform Nigeria’s aviation sector, reduce dependence on overseas maintenance, and establish the country as a hub for African and international airlines.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, was attended by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, senior executives from the Bank of Industry and Fidelity Bank, regulators, and other stakeholders.

Air Peace Chairman/CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, called the project the fulfilment of a long-held dream.

“We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our indefatigable Minister of Aviation. This is the first time Nigerian airlines are receiving massive support, and we at Air Peace are proud to be part of this history.”

Onyema stressed the facility’s economic benefits, noting that Nigerian airlines spent more than $180 billion last year on overseas maintenance and spare parts. “This MRO will change that narrative. It will serve Air Peace as well as other Nigerian and foreign airlines. Within 24 months, Nigeria will begin attracting foreign carriers from Africa, Europe, and the Americas to bring their aircraft here,” he said.

Largest in Africa
The project, handled by Morgan Omonitan & Abe, will include a 6,200sqm hangar, 2,600sqm workshop, 2,000sqm warehouse, 1,500sqm office block, and a 10,000sqm aircraft parking apron, supported by additional infrastructure such as a car park and utility buildings.

The facility will accommodate a Boeing 777 alongside five other aircraft at once—making it the largest in Africa, surpassing similar infrastructure in South Africa and Ethiopia. Technical support will come from Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer.

Massive Job Creation
The development is projected to generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, provide training for new engineers and technicians, and drastically reduce capital flight.

Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, praised the strategic partnership with Air Peace and its financial partners. Fidelity Bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Abolore Solebo, also commended the airline’s foresight, noting that Air Peace’s vision inspired the bank to establish Nigeria’s first aviation desk.

Minister Keyamo described the MRO as a “national treasure.”

“This hangar will save billions in foreign exchange, attract foreign airlines, and create unprecedented opportunities for our people. Even the Presidential Fleet will use this facility, as it is the most cost-effective option for government.”

Onyema’s Final Word
“This is more than a foundation stone—it is a revolution. It proves Nigeria believes in itself, that indigenous investment can thrive, and that we are ready to take our place on the global aviation stage.”

Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, continues to invest in job creation and youth empowerment. With the new MRO facility, the carrier aims to cement its role as a driver of national development and regional aviation growth.

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A disagreement has emerged between Nigerian carrier Air Peace and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) following the release of a preliminary report on the airline’s runway excursion in Port Harcourt on July 13.

The NSIB report, released Friday, stated that toxicology screening conducted after the incident showed the captain and first officer tested positive for alcohol, while a cabin crew member tested positive for cannabis. The bureau said these findings suggested that human performance was a factor in the aircraft’s unstable landing, which resulted in the jet stopping more than 200 metres into the overrun area.

All 103 passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.

Air Peace, however, said it had not received official communication from the NSIB about the results, more than a month after the incident. The airline explained that the captain of the affected flight had already been relieved of duty for procedural reasons, not for alcohol use, while the first officer was cleared and reinstated to active duty by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The airline stressed that it conducts frequent drug and alcohol testing on crew and operates a strict no-alcohol policy that exceeds regulatory requirements.

Meanwhile, both the first officer and the cabin crew member publicly denied using alcohol or drugs. They questioned the testing process and delays in communicating results.

Responding, NSIB Director General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr said the bureau does not conduct tests directly, explaining that the toxicology samples were processed by the Rivers State Hospital Management Board. He maintained that publishing preliminary reports is a standard procedure and denied allegations of bias.

The NSIB noted that its investigation is ongoing and further findings will be released in a final report.

Air Peace operates domestic and international flights across Africa and to destinations including London, Jeddah, and Accra.

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