IATA removes Nigeria from list of countries blocking airlines’ funds

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed that Nigeria is no longer among the countries with blocked or unrepatriated airline revenues. The announcement came during the association’s recent annual general meeting, where IATA’s regional vice-president for Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, Kamil Al-Awadhi, highlighted improvements in countries that had previously restricted access to airline funds.

Al-Awadhi noted that while blocked funds remain a challenge across the region, significant progress has been made in Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia. He stated that Nigeria has made enough advancements to be removed from IATA’s list of countries with trapped airline revenues.

Despite the progress, IATA says blocked funds continue to be a major concern in the Africa and Middle East (AME) region. As of April, $1.28 billion in airline revenue remains withheld globally, with $1.1 billion, about 85 percent, blocked in AME countries. Of this amount, $919 million is held in African nations. Mozambique currently tops the list globally, followed by the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (XAF Zone), Algeria, Lebanon, and Angola.

Al-Awadhi stressed the consequences of restricting airlines’ access to their revenues, warning that such actions limit airline operations, reduce market connectivity, and deter foreign investment. He urged governments to prioritise aviation in foreign exchange access, citing the sector’s importance to economic growth and integration.

Nigeria had previously led the world in unrepatriated airline funds, with blocked revenues peaking at around $850 million due to a prolonged foreign exchange shortfall. In response to industry backlash, the Central Bank of Nigeria began releasing funds in 2022 and continued disbursements under the current administration. By March 2024, the bank announced that it had cleared the country’s FX backlog, with IATA confirming that 98 percent of airline funds had been released.

Pastor Paul Adefarasin and wife, Ifeanyi, celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary

He wrote

‘’Dear Ifeanyi,

To the world, success is often measured by prominence, ease, and tangible outcomes—the visible fruits of ambition, relentless effort, and societal recognition.

Yet in the counsel of God, success takes on an altogether different form. It is the quiet becoming of all He designed you to be, the faithful execution of a divine mandate stewarded with integrity, humility, and a heart yielded to His will. It is not so much about what is outwardly accomplished, but who one is inwardly is becoming in alignment with His eternal purpose.

Within that sacred context, success as God defines it is a rare and priceless gift to walk life’s journey intimately with a few true hearts who are deeply committed to you, who stand with you and lend strength to the God-ordained causes entrusted to your care. They are real disciples of Christ. These are the ones who labour with you in your service to the God you honour, the people you shepherd, and the generational destiny divinely assigned to you and your house.

‘..Through many dangers, toils and snares, we have already come. Twas grace that brought us safe thus far…” And so, to the faithful warriors who have shared the trenches with us, who have stood shoulder to shoulder through the battles of life and the crucible of calling, I extend my heartfelt gratitude.

Of notable mention is my fellow soldier and long standing co-parent, companion in marriage, the wife of my youth and my partner at life; dear Ifeanyi, thank you for being helpmeet through the turns and the transitions. Thank you for walking this long road with steadiness and faith, for standing through the 30 years and for remaining present through each unfolding season.

Happy 30th anniversary to you Still Waters.

With love,

‘Deolu

Pastor Paul Adefarasin and wife, Ifeanyi, celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary