Business
XeJet Eyeing Aircraft Components Manufacturing in Nigeria, After Launch of MRO Facility In Abuja
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, noted that the move aligns with the federal government’s vision to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza, has disclosed plans to position Nigeria on the global map of aircraft manufacturing, repairs and operations.
“The vision is ambitious. It is to contribute to aircraft manufacturing, even if it’s just components like wings, landing gears, or tires.
Nigeria has the talent and ability; we just need the enabling environment and facilities to make it happen,” he said.
Iza spoke during the launch of XeJet’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and flight support center in Abuja.
He said: “Currently, XeJet employs about 300 people. With this new facility, we expect to quadruple that number.
First phase involves site preparation, including leveling the ground and constructing a taxiway to connect the runway to the facility, which is estimated to cost $5 million. The structure itself will require an equal investment.”
On the occasion, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, noted that the move aligns with the federal government’s vision to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.
He said: ” Since we came to office, we’ve been focused on attracting MRO facilities to our aviation ecosystem, just as they exist in other parts of the world.
“We’ve searched far and wide for investors, but now we see that what we were looking for elsewhere is right here at home. This collaboration between XeJet and local banks is a dream come true.”
Keyamo added: “This development will not only serve Nigeria but will attract users from across the West African sub-region. That’s the dream—to make this facility a regional center for excellence.”
Business
Cybercriminals cloning DStv, other brands to steal bank accounts across Africa
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
Cybercriminals are impersonating popular companies and government agencies across Africa in a campaign designed to take over smartphones and bank accounts.
More than 100 fake websites linked to the malware campaign have been identified since August 2025.
Brands including DStv, Takealot and South African Airways, as well as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), are being used to make fraudulent messages and websites appear legitimate.
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
The attacks are particularly concerning in South Africa, where Android dominates the mobile operating system market.
NordVPN said the attacks typically begin with social engineering, where criminals send convincing messages through SMS, WhatsApp or social media.
The messages may contain urgent offers or requests involving job opportunities, tax refunds, identity renewals or pension verification.
Victims are then directed to fake websites designed to closely resemble the official websites of trusted organisations.
The sites encourage users to download an Android application. Once installed, the malicious software can operate quietly in the background, including after the smartphone is restarted.
Business
Cement price hits N16,000 per bag
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
• Chairman of BUA cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR)
Cement dealers across Nigeria have announced fresh price increases, with a 50kg bag now selling for as much as N16,000 in some markets, up from N13,000 recorded by buyers just days earlier.
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
By the third quarter of 2025, that had risen to about N9,000 before reaching the N12,000 to N16,000 range now seen across different locations.
Other building materials have followed a similar upward path. Blocks have climbed from around N600 to N1,100 each.
Sand has gone from N165,000 to N250,000 per 30 tonnes. Granite has risen from N530,000 to N780,000 per 30 tonnes.
Reinforcing steel now costs N1.15 million per tonne, up from N850,000.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Friday, August 21
BLACK MARKET RATES
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,410
Great British Pound(GBP) Buy ₦1,890 Sell: ₦1,915
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,590 Sell ₦1,610
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90Ghana CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
West African CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,374.63
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,838.70
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574.97
Swiss Franc (CHF) ₦1,687.70
Chinese Yuan (CNY) ₦200.42
Japanese Yen (Yen) ₦8.49
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.37
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,848.41
Saudi Riyal (SAR) ₦358.91
South African Rand (ZAR) ₦83.35
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