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NAMA Begins Calibration Of Landing Equipment At Ekiti Airport

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The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Friday, commenced the calibration of the landing system at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, in preparation for the start of commercial flight operations.

This comes just a month after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) granted approval for non-scheduled flight operations at the airport for six months.

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The calibration aircraft, which carried NAMA officials, touched down on the airport runway at exactly 4:13 p.m., and the exercise began immediately.

Calibration in the air system industry ensures the safety of air navigation through regular flight inspections, calibration of testing equipment, and surveillance of airspace systems. It is also a key step in ensuring the facility meets global aviation standards for safe and efficient operations.

READ ALSO: NAF Reactivates Aircraft Grounded for 23 Years

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At the airport to receive the NAMA team were the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Airport Projects, AVM Sunday Makinde (Rtd); Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe; Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Kolawole Ajobiewe; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, among others.

Briefing journalists at the airport, AVM Makinde (Rtd) said that the arrival of the calibration aircraft and the exercise by NAMA officials marked a significant step toward the final approval for commercial operations at the airport. He explained that the purpose of the exercise was to assess and fine-tune the navigational aids equipment at the airport, including the instrument landing systems, communication radios, and other essential equipment needed for safe and efficient operations.

Commissioner Olatunbosun, described the development as a “dream come true,” highlighting that the airport would open new doors for investment, tourism, and economic growth in the state. He added that it would facilitate business, attract investors, and make life easier for the people of Ekiti.

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Assuring that the project would significantly boost the state’s socioeconomic and industrial development, Olatunbosun emphasized that the completion of the airport is a testament to Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to transforming the state’s economy and establishing Ekiti as a hub for both local and international connectivity.

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Indian Refiners Abandon Russia For Nigerian Crude, As Dangote Refinery Relies On US

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India Refineries have abandoned Russian crude for Nigerian crude, while domestic refiner Dangote Refinery relies heavily on West Texas Intermediate crude from the United States of America.

This followed a recent sanction threat by US president Donald Trump on India over continued patronage of Russian crude.

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According to Reuters, industry sources said that Indian Oil Corporation recently bought one million barrels of Nigeria’s Agbami crude for September 2025 delivery in a tender awarded to global trader Trafigura.

Also included are one million barrels of Angola Girassol, one million barrels of US Mars, three million barrels of Abu Dhabi Murban, and two million barrels of Nigerian oil, according to Reuters.

READ ALSO:‘My Eyes Dey Your Body’: Drama As Portable Professes Love For Regina Daniels

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The report noted that the purchase is part of a broader sourcing spree that has seen Indian refiners secure millions of barrels from non-Russian sources post July 2025.

Meanwhile, Indian refiners secured purchases of Nigerian crude grades; the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is relying on around 60 percent on US and other imoorts to feed its processing units.

Data showed that the refinery imported an average of 10 million barrels in July 2025, saying it was increasingly relying on the US for its feedstock despite the naira-for-crude deal with the Federal Government, which kicked off in October last year.

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According to Reuters, the Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum have bought a million barrels of non-Russian crude billed for delivery in September and October after the US pressured India to halt purchases from Russia.

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Indian state refiners had been largely absent from the Nigerian crude market spotlight since 2022; they have in the past concentrated on Russian crude amid the Russian-Ukrainian war. However, the Indian refiners paused Russian purchases in late July 2025 after pressure from US President Donald Trump.

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On the part of Dangote Refinery, data from commodities analytics firm Kpler showed that in July, US barrels accounted for about 60 percent of Dangote’s 590,000 barrels per day of crude intake, with Nigerian grades making up the remaining 40 percent.

In July, the Dangote refinery’s crude imports surged to a record 590 kbd—driven largely by US barrels overtaking Nigerian supply for the first time—amid ongoing domestic sourcing challenges, Kpler reports.

“While WTI has held a significant share in Dangote’s import slate since March, this is the first time US crude has overtaken Nigerian supply—a shift driven by several factors,” Kpler stated.

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NNPCL Increases Fuel Price

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased the pump price of premium motor spirit across its retail outlets.

It was gathered that NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja have adjusted their fuel pump price to N955 per litre from N890.

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This is the case in NNPCL retail outlets along Kubwa Expressway, Wuse and other parts of Abuja.

READ ALSO:Fuel Station Manager, Three Others Arrested For Robbery

Similarly, the pump price hike has been implemented at filling stations in Kogi and Nasarawa.

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This means that the petrol pump price was increased by N65.

This comes after independent petroleum product marketers and filling station owners in Abuja increased petrol pump prices to between N950 and N971 per litre at the weekend. Their decision followed an upward review of the ex-depot petrol price by Dangote Refinery to N858 per litre, up from N820.

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Naira Appreciates Against Dollar As External Reserves Swell

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The naira appreciated against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Monday to begin the week on a bullish note amid swelling external reserves.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange data, the naira appreciated to N1,531.95 against the dollar on Monday from N1,533.74 traded last week Friday.

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READ ALSO:Naira Continues To Appreciate Against Dollar On Official Market

This showed that the Naira strengthened by N1.79 when compared to the N1,533.74 exchanged at the close of work last week.

Meanwhile, at the black market, the naira remained stable at N1560 per litre, the same exchange rate traded on Friday.

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The development comes as Nigeria’s external reserves had maintained a modest rise to $39.54 billion as of August 1st, 2025, up from $39.36 billion on July 30th.

 

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