The Nation Newspaper

Category: Business

  • ‘Poultry feeds’ price dropping globally’

    ‘Poultry feeds’ price dropping globally’

    Easing feed costs in global poultry production are providing near-term relief, while the operating environment for feed manufacturers is becoming more complex, according to an analysis by www.FeedStrategy.com

    The industry, it noted, is being reshaped by disease risk, shifting production systems, sustainability demands and geopolitical uncertainty.

    Industry data cited by FeedStrategy.com showed that overall feed prices fell by about 6 per cent in 2025, largely due to weaker cattle feed demand and accumulated inventories.

    The report maintained that corn and soybean meal prices remained below long-term averages, helping to support growth in broiler and egg production.

    Poultry,according to it , remains one of the most structurally advantaged animal proteins globally, a position it is expected to retain through the year.

    Rabobank Senior Protein Analyst Nan-Dirk Mulder  said  that poultry markets have expanded by nearly three per cent  annually over the past three years, outpacing historical averages.

    He attributed the growth to poultry’s affordability, health profile, convenience and versatility.

    Mulder estimatedthat about 80 per cent  of global poultry expansion will take place in emerging markets, particularly across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Latin America.

    He noted that these regions are seeing new investments in greenfield poultry projects and modernisation, driving demand for feed milling capacity, standardized formulations and dependable ingredient supply.

    Mulder described recent outbreaks as “a major wake-up call to strengthen biosecurity measures to the highest possible level,” warning that new cases in 202 the year  could again trigger market volatility.

    CoBank’s lead economist for animal protein, Brian Earnest, noted  that disease pressure is no longer viewed solely as a farm-level problem. While broilers may be less exposed than layers, he said HPAI remains “a major concern in poultry overall,” adding that “biosecurity remains of utmost importance in effort to mitigate the spread and impact.”

    Read Also: Tinubu boldly steering Nigeria toward sustainable future — Okowa

    As a result, feed mills are increasingly being drawn into integrators’ biosecurity strategies. Ingredient handling, sanitation, cross-contamination control and traceability are now seen as critical risk management factors.

    Earnest pointed to companies adopting “a holistic solution-oriented mindset that extends beyond farm and into feed production.”

    It observed that interest is growing in nutritional strategies that support gut integrity and immune function, with additives such as enzymes and probiotics gaining wider acceptance.

    According to FeedStrategy.com, these inclusions are increasingly viewed as tools for risk mitigation rather than optional performance enhancers, even in periods of relatively low feed costs.

    Layer feed strategies are also evolving as welfare-driven changes such as cage-free systems and extended laying cycles alter nutrient requirements and feed intake patterns. These shifts, FeedStrategy.com reported, require greater flexibility in formulation and production planning.

    FeedStrategy.com indicated  that feed manufacturers will be expected to deliver far more than volume. According to it,they will need to support biosecurity, sustainability, animal welfare and performance while navigating supply chain risk and price volatility.

  • ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform

    ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform

    ValueJet Airlines has officially launched VIKI, an AI-powered digital concierge designed to transform how passengers access flight services, making it the first airline in Africa to deploy such technology at scale.

    This move is part of ValueJet’s wider digital transformation roadmap, following the internal success of TOPS (Trusted Operations Policy Support), its AI assistant for staff. Now, with VIKI, ValueJet takes its AI leadership public, delivering smart, multilingual, and on-demand travel support to every passenger.

    VIKI, according to a statement by the carrier, is a multilingual, text- and voice-enabled AI assistant that responds verbally to voice commands, offering enhanced accessibility for visually impaired users.

    Through popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, the statement added that passengers can book and manage flights, modify reservations, check in online, receive real-time travel updates, and access support services, completing essential travel tasks in minutes without visiting the airport or navigating traditional websites.

    “At ValueJet, innovation must lead to real impact,” said Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director of ValueJet.

    “VIKI is more than a digital tool, she’s a symbol of our ambition to build smarter, safer, and more seamless experiences for travellers across Africa. This is just the beginning.”

    ValueJet is the first airline in Africa to deploy an AI concierge of this scale, addressing key challenges in the Nigerian aviation market, particularly speed, convenience, and accessibility.

     The launch forms part of the airline’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at delivering seamless and customer-centric travel experiences.

    Read Also: Nigeria, a nation that remembers to forget

    Mr. Temitope Ajijola, Head of Business Program and IT, added, “From day one, our goal at ValueJet has been to make flight booking as seamless and intuitive as possible. With VIKI, we’ve taken that vision to a new level. This is a major leap in our digital transformation, enabling faster, smarter service while opening new opportunities for customer engagement across digital platforms. We’re proud to be leading this innovation in African aviation.”

    “Interacting with VIKI feels like chatting with a trusted friend,” Ajijola added. “You simply type something like, ‘Viki, I need a direct flight to Abuja tomorrow,’ and she’ll guide you through options, let you choose your seat, pay, and send your boarding pass, all in minutes.”

    Beyond bookings, VIKI enables passengers to check in seamlessly and receive digital boarding passes, modify existing reservations with ease, and obtain instant answers to questions on baggage allowances, fare rules, and other travel-related inquiries, delivering a true self-service experience with no hold times, no phone calls, and no need for customer service agents.

    “This launch marks a significant leap in how we connect with our passengers, delivering greater speed, flexibility, and control over their journey,” said Trevor Henry, Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet.

  • Kano business women get interest-free loans

    Kano business women get interest-free loans

    Women-owned online businesses have received assurance of interest-free loans to support the growth of their businesses.

    The businesswomen under the auspices of Women Online Vendors Association would also be supported with training, office accommodation and other initiatives that would enhance their businesses.

    Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, Dr Faruk Umar mad the pledge while receiving the leadership of the association at the ACF headquarters in Kano.

    Umar said the forum would provide soft, interest-free loans to eligible members of the association, alongside entrepreneurship training to strengthen their business and management skills.

    He said the initiative was part of ACF’s commitment to empowering women and promoting economic self-reliance.

    He further directed the leadership of the association to liaise with the forum’s Legal Adviser, Hajiya Salma Danbappa, and Assistant Auditor, Hajiya Fatima Ado Bayero, to identify areas of collaboration and modalities for effective support.

    Read Also: IMF raises Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.4%

    Chairperson, Women Online Vendors Association, Hajiya Umma Uba Adamu said the visit was to solicit ACF’s support in enhancing the capacity and growth of women-owned online businesses in the state.

    She explained that the association currently offers virtual training for women entrepreneurs and focuses on empowering members through skills acquisition and capacity development.

    According to her, the association is seeking support not only in terms of capital but also training opportunities, particularly for uneducated women who require practical skills to improve their livelihoods.

    She appealed to ACF for guidance and assistance in accessing government interventions and other empowerment programmes.

    She commended the forum for its commitment to women empowerment and expressed optimism that the partnership would significantly improve the economic prospects of women online vendors in Kano State.

  • Nigeria’s crypto market transactions hit $92.1billion

    Nigeria’s crypto market transactions hit $92.1billion

    Despite regulatory uncertainty, Nigeria dominates sub-Saharan Africa (SSA’s) crypto flows, processing $92.1 billion in crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025, a report by PwC Nigeria has said.

    PwC Nigeria, in its ‘Economic Outlook 2026’ released last week, noted that the Nigerian crypto market is positioned to grow further this year, primarily driven by the implementation of a new, formal regulatory and tax framework.

    The report said, for instance, that the new Tax and Tax-Administration Acts, effective from 2026, will treat crypto profits as income taxed up to 25 per cent, replacing the previous 10 per cent capital-gains tax effectively raising tax burden and complexity for users.

    It also said Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASPs) face rising compliance and reporting obligations in 2026, increasing operating costs for licensed platforms while potentially pushing unlicensed activity further into informal and offshore channels.

    “Nigeria is likely to remain SSA’s largest crypto market in 2026, with usage sustained by FX access constraints, inflation sensitivity, and continued demand for stablecoins as a practical store of value and settlement rail,” the PwC report projected.

    The report stated that  Nigeria received over $92.1 billion in crypto value, nearly three times South Africa, reflecting its scale, youthful digital adoption, and persistent inflation and FX access constraints that continue to drive crypto and stablecoin usage as financial alternatives.

    Giving more details, PwC Nigeria said bitcoin dominated fiat crypto purchases in SSA, accounting for 89 per cent in Nigeria and 74 per cent in South Africa, underscoring its role as a default hedge and entry asset in volatile or constrained financial environments.

    It also stated that stablecoin usage is structurally higher in Nigeria, signalling reliance on crypto rails as an informal FX and dollar-substitute channel, though the data reflects only centralised exchange activity and excludes peer-to-peer and informal flows.

    PwC said crypto adoption in Nigeria is dominated by young, tech-savvy users, particularly students, adding that self-employed entrepreneurs and traders represent a large share, using crypto for flexibility and business utility.

    It further stated that even those in formal employment are increasingly involved, suggesting growing mainstream interest. PwC, however, said minimal uptake among older and unemployed populations show digital assets remain youth-centric.

    Read Also: ‘Tinubu taking Nigeria out of the woods’

    The PwC report, while stating that the Nigerian crypto market is evolving rapidly, bringing both opportunities and risks, however, said the rising usage of crypto, especially among Nigeria’s youth requires acceleration of regulatory cohesion in the near term.

    For instance, crypto markets, according to the report, can be used to evade capital controls by routing funds through unlicensed exchanges. Stablecoin purchases funded from naira deposits can also drain bank liquidity.

    “Adoption poses risks including capital outflows, currency speculation, illicit finance, and fraud,” the report stated.

     However, it said the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) and Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) have formalised crypto regulation and taxation to drive greater engagement with compliant players in 2026 and beyond.

    PwC emphasised that regulators have strengthened monitoring of crypto inflows and outflows and introduced FX pricing bands to deter arbitrage, although market surveillance remains constrained by incomplete data coverage.

  • Seplat Energy’s ANOH Gas Project strikes first gas

    Seplat Energy’s ANOH Gas Project strikes first gas

    •New gas supply to boost earnings

    Seplat Energy Plc yesterday announced that it has started gas supply from its 300 MMscfd ANOH gas project after the company successfully achieved first gas.

    In a regulatory filing at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Seplat Energy indicated that it had completed 11km Indorama gas export pipeline and received regulatory approval from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Friday January 16, 2026 to begin gas supply.

    With the approval, ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC) commenced gas supply to Indorama, under a firm and interruptible offtake Gas Sales Agreements (GSAs).  To enable the flow of gas, the four upstream wells, which had been on standby since November 2025, were brought online.

    Seplat Energy is listed on the Premium Board of the NGX and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

     “Since first gas, wet gas production has been stabilising, delivering 40-52 MMscfd of processed gas directly from the ANOH gas plant to the Indorama Petrochemical Plant. Condensate production has reached 2.0-2.5 kboepd and is expected to increase with gas production as the plant ramps up to design capacity.

    “In addition, preparations are underway to initiate sales of processed gas to the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) with an offtake agreement structured on an interruptible basis and will support the gas plant to further scale production towards full design capacity of 300MMscfd,” Seplat stated.

    The company added that the construction of the OB3 pipeline export route by Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), originally designated as the primary channel for ANOH gas supply to the domestic market, has resumed and a revised completion date will be communicated in due course.

    The ANOH gas plant was developed by AGPC, an incorporated joint venture between Seplat Energy and the NGIC. The integrated plant consists of two 150 MMscfd gas processing units, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) recovery units, condensate stabilization units, a 16MW power plant and other supporting facilities, and has been built to operate with zero routine flares.

    “Across the unitised field of OML 53 and OML 21, the ANOH gas plant unlocks an estimated 4.6 Tcf condensate rich gas resource base.

    Seplat’s working interest 2P reserves in the unitised field, as booked at year end 2024, stood at 0.8 Tcf.  Seplat will derive value from two distinct income streams: wet gas sales from OML 53 to the ANOH gas plant, and dividends from its 50 per cent equity ownership in AGPC.

    “The LPG produced from ANOH, combined with the LPG production at Sapele and the Bonny River Terminal (BRT), will make Seplat a leading supplier of clean cooking fuel to the domestic market. In addition, the ANOH gas plant will process the flared gas from the Ohaji field, enabling Seplat to achieve its onshore End of Routine Flaring programme, a key commercial and sustainability initiative for the company.

    “The ANOH gas plant has been developed without a single recordable Lost Time Incident (LTI) across 17.5-million-man hours, a testament to the focus of the whole team on safe and secure operations,” Seplat stated.

    Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy, Roger Brown, said ANOH would provide material income streams for Seplat, reducing its carbon intensity and contributing significantly to the 2030 production target of 200 kboepd.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria ready for front seat in global economy’

    He added that the new gas supply  would also increase energy access for Nigerians in terms of both power and clean cooking fuel for the local communities, while advancing delivery of Seplat’s mission to support economic prosperity in Nigeria.

    “ANOH is the first of the seven critical gas development projects identified by Federal Government of Nigeria to commence operations. It is an important strategic project for Seplat, our partner NGIC, and Nigeria as a whole. It has taken a significant amount of commitment and hard work to complete the project in a part of the onshore Niger Delta with limited gas pipeline infrastructure, and we are extremely proud of this achievement.  This is our third major gas processing facility onshore and increases our Joint Venture gross gas processing capacity onshore to over 850 MMscfd,” Brown said.

    Seplat Energy’s portfolio consists of eleven oil and gas blocks in onshore and shallow water locations in the prolific Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which we operate with partners including the Nigerian Government and other oil producers. Furthermore, we have an operated interest in three export terminals including; the Qua Iboe export terminal and Yoho FSO, as well as an operated interest in the Bonny River Terminal (BRT), and operate two large offshore NGL recovery plants at Oso and EAP.

    It operates three gas processing plants onshore, at Oben in OML 4 and Sapele in OML 41 and the 300 MMscfd ANOH Gas Processing Plant in OML 53, an integrated joint venture with NGIC. Combined, these gas facilities augment Seplat Energy’s position as a leading supplier of natural gas to the domestic power generation market.

  • NCC: impact of spectrum opening coming

    NCC: impact of spectrum opening coming

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has provided further insights on the opening of two spectrum bands to deepen operations in the telecommunications industry and boost the digital economy.

    Speaking with reporters shortly after the conclusion of the two days Consultative Forum with Stakeholders at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, on the opening of the Spectrum Roadmap 2025 to 2030, the Commission’s Head of Spectrum Administration, Atiku Lawal said the infrastructures might be delivered before the end of this year.

    He said with the deployment of the infrastructures, digital communications activities in the industry would take upward swing with the concomitant improvement on the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

    He emphasised that the current Stakeholders engagements are expected to bring about a robust roadmap for seamless experience, delivery of quality services, and expansion of networks through the use of satellite technology among others.

    Lawal said: “What we are trying to do is to increase Spectrum resource capacities so that more investments and activities will come on board. If we attain high capacity, you have a better experience, and better quality of service.

    “So we are opening the bands, not only to improve the quality of service but also to allow for innovations as we see because it is not only the connection. All of us are making some bank transactions, we are doing some businesses other than just calling our relatives, I believe.

    Read Also: Tinubu boldly steering Nigeria toward sustainable future — Okowa

    “So in order to make sure that Nigerians become more productive, do a lot of businesses, innovations, think about health and others.

    “We have doctors in remote places and they should actually connect from that village to National Hospital if possible in Abuja to talk to a consultant without that consultant going into those remote villages.

    “However, it cannot happen without the spectrum. So all these are what we are doing here. We come here in order to make sure we put more spectrum into the telecommunication sector of the industry.”

    He said Nigerians would begin to experience the impacts of the Spectrum bands faster than expected.

    “I cannot give time, but from experience I can say before the end of this year you can see all these services are being used in the country,” he added.

  • ‘Nigeria’s carbon market can generate $3.8b’

    ‘Nigeria’s carbon market can generate $3.8b’

    Nigeria’s champion of Climate Change, Sam Onuigbo has said that the country’s carbon market has the potential of generating more than $3.8 billion in revenue.

    He disclosed that the unveiling of Nigeria’s Carbon Market Framework, which was hailed by stakeholders at the recent Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in the United Arab Emirates, as a positive indicator in Nigeria’s climate action agenda, was a direct outcome of President Bola Tinubu’s determined effort to ensure that the country was well positioned as a key player in the emerging world green economy.

    Onuigbo, who spoke to some journalists after returning from the week-long Climate Change event, noted that right from his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square on May 29, 2023, the President has made it a point of duty to propel the country on the path of energy transition and climate sustainability.

    He said successes recorded by Nigeria during the ADSW should be attributed to President Tinubu’s incremental initiatives in energy transition.

    Onuigbo, who is also a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), therefore urged international investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s huge market, adding that with the leadership shown by President Tinubu, the country would achieve great heights and attain financial prosperity in the emerging global energy economy.

    According to the former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, by aligning the country’s climate action with energy access, Nigeria would achieve a great economic goal and social development.

    Read Also: Tinubu boldly steering Nigeria toward sustainable future — Okowa

    He therefore extolled President Tinubu’s exploits in attracting the hosting of Investopia in Lagos State next month alongside the United Arab Emirates as co-host, stressing that that event would further enhance the country’s efforts to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into the country.

    While noting how the President attended many high-level committee meetings on the side of the lines of the ADSW, Onuigbo who sponsored Nigeria’s landmark legislation, the Climate Change Act 2021, praised the President’s consistent attendance on such strategic global meetings on Climate action.

    “You will recall that while taking over as Nigeria’s leader on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu invited domestic and foreign investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s huge market assuring that the investors and foreign business will easily repatriate their dividends and profits home.

    “And, barely one week after taking office, the President signed into law the Electricity Act, where he promised speedy actions in energy renewal to ensure that the sector creates job opportunities for the youths,” he stated.

  • ‘Food waste costs to hit $540b’

    ‘Food waste costs to hit $540b’

    The global financial cost of food waste is expected to reach $540 billion this year , up from $526 billion in 2025, according to a study published in early January by labeling and packaging solutions provider Avery Dennison.

    Titled Making the Invisible Visible: Unlocking the Hidden Value of Food Waste to Drive Growth and Profitability, the report is based on a survey of nearly 3,500 leaders in the global food retail sector, combined with economic modeling by the UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research.

    The research revealed  that expenses linked to food waste currently represent an average of 33 per cent  of total revenue across the retail supply chain, covering everything from post-farm processing through to the point of sale. While 54 per cent  of leaders report that waste-related costs have risen between 2022 and 2025, the ability to track where and how waste occurs remains limited.

    Meat is projected to account for nearly one-fifth of global food waste in 2026, representing losses of about $94 billion, and is identified as the biggest challenge by 72 per cent  of supply chain managers in the sector. Fresh produce is expected to be the second-largest source of waste, at $88 billion, followed by ready-to-eat meals ($80 billion), dairy products ($79 billion), and bakery goods ($67 billion).

    Read Also: Tinubu boldly steering Nigeria toward sustainable future — Okowa

        More than half of surveyed leaders, 51  per cent , attribute food waste primarily to poor inventory management and overstocking. In addition, 56  per cent  acknowledged limited visibility into losses occurring during transportation.

         The study noted that 54 per cent of leaders say the cost of food waste has increased over the past three years due to rising food inflation and geopolitical instability, creating a double loss effect. Retailers face higher input costs while also missing opportunities to convert wasted products into potential sales.

        The firm argued that food waste is not only an environmental and social issue, but also a measurable drag on growth and profitability. It said  retailers are well positioned to drive change by improving product-level visibility and strengthening collaboration across supply chains.

        The company estimated that broader adoption of these measures could reduce projected food waste-related costs by up to $3.4 trillion by 2030, while improving operational resilience and delivering lasting environmental and social benefits.

  • Summit to focus on manufacturing growth

    Summit to focus on manufacturing growth

    West Africa’s growing intra-African trade and renewed push for industrial expansion will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition (West Africa IMT 2026), scheduled for March 3 to 5, 2026, in Lagos.

    The summit comes amid signs that regional trade integration is beginning to reshape the sub-region’s industrial outlook. Recent data from the Nigeria Customs Service shows that Nigeria’s exports to African markets rose by 14 per cent to N4.82 trillion, with more than 60 per cent destined for West Africa. In Ghana, early gains from the government’s 24-hour economy policy have been recorded in pilot industrial zones, including the Tema light-manufacturing belt, where output and night-shift employment have increased.

    Organisers say these developments underscore both the opportunities and the pressure facing West Africa to convert rising trade flows into sustained industrial capacity, jobs and investment. West Africa IMT 2026, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and organised by dmg Nigeria events, is positioned as a platform to address how policy alignment can translate into tangible manufacturing growth.

    Speaking on the significance of the event, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said industrialisation remained central to Nigeria’s economic future and regional prosperity.

     “Industrial growth is not just an economic imperative; it is the foundation for job creation, skills development and sustainable prosperity,” he said, adding that the summit aligns with Nigeria’s industrial agenda and the broader objective of strengthening regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    Read Also: Tinubu boldly steering Nigeria toward sustainable future — Okowa

    The three-day gathering is expected to draw policymakers, manufacturers, investors and infrastructure providers from across West Africa and beyond. Discussions will focus on expanding industrial capacity, improving trade facilitation, delivering critical infrastructure and mobilising long-term financing needed to support value-added production.

    According to the portfolio director for Africa at dmg Events, Wemimo Oyelana, the summit is designed to prioritise execution over rhetoric. “This is not a forum for conversations without consequence,” she said. “The goal is to align policy, private sector capability and capital in ways that deliver real industrial capacity, stronger value chains and measurable economic impact for West Africa.”

    As West African countries seek to shift away from dependence on raw material exports, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, logistics bottlenecks, evolving tariff regimes and global competition for manufacturing investment remain significant. Organisers say West Africa IMT 2026 aims to confront these issues by bringing decision-makers together around practical, project-focused solutions.

    With regional trade gaining momentum and AfCFTA implementation gathering pace, the summit is expected to test how far West Africa can move from policy ambition to industrial delivery, at a time many see as pivotal for the region’s economic transformation.

  • ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform to access flight services

    ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform to access flight services

    ValueJet Airlines has officially unveiled VIKI, an artificial intelligence–powered digital concierge designed to enhance passenger access to flight services, making it the first airline in Africa to deploy the technology at scale.

    The launch forms part of ValueJet’s broader digital transformation strategy, building on the internal success of TOPS (Trusted Operations Policy Support), the airline’s AI assistant for staff. With VIKI, the carrier has extended its AI capabilities to the public, offering passengers smart, multilingual, and on-demand travel support.

    According to a statement by the airline, VIKI is a multilingual, text- and voice-enabled AI assistant that also responds verbally to voice commands, improving accessibility for visually impaired users.

    The statement added that through popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, passengers can book and manage flights, modify reservations, check in online, receive real-time travel updates and access customer support services, allowing them to complete key travel tasks within minutes without visiting the airport or navigating conventional websites.

    “At ValueJet, innovation must lead to real impact,” said Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director of ValueJet.

    “VIKI is more than a digital tool, she’s a symbol of our ambition to build smarter, safer, and more seamless experiences for travellers across Africa. This is just the beginning.”

    Read Also: ValueJet expands regional network

    ValueJet is the first airline in Africa to deploy an AI concierge of this scale, addressing key challenges in the Nigerian aviation market, particularly speed, convenience, and accessibility.

     The launch forms part of the airline’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at delivering seamless and customer-centric travel experiences.

    Mr. Temitope Ajijola, Head of Business Program and IT, added, “From day one, our goal at ValueJet has been to make flight booking as seamless and intuitive as possible. With VIKI, we’ve taken that vision to a new level. This is a major leap in our digital transformation, enabling faster, smarter service while opening new opportunities for customer engagement across digital platforms. We’re proud to be leading this innovation in African aviation.”

    “Interacting with VIKI feels like chatting with a trusted friend,” Ajijola added. “You simply type something like, ‘Viki, I need a direct flight to Abuja tomorrow,’ and she’ll guide you through options, let you choose your seat, pay, and send your boarding pass, all in minutes.”

    Beyond bookings, VIKI enables passengers to check in seamlessly and receive digital boarding passes, modify existing reservations with ease, and obtain instant answers to questions on baggage allowances, fare rules, and other travel-related inquiries, delivering a true self-service experience with no hold times, no phone calls, and no need for customer service agents.

    “This launch marks a significant leap in how we connect with our passengers, delivering greater speed, flexibility, and control over their journey,” said Trevor Henry, Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet.