First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and 247 Travels have launched ‘Book Now, Fly Later’, a financing programme that allows eligible customers to borrow up to ¦ 10 million for international flight tickets and repay over three to nine months.

The programme is designed to help Nigerians spread travel costs for business, education, healthcare, tourism, and family commitments.

The facility, powered by FCMB Premium Banking, is available exclusively for airline tickets purchased through 247 Travels.

Salaried and self-employed FCMB customers who meet the bank’s requirements can apply, with successful applicants expected to receive approval and disbursement within 24 working hours.

The partnership combines FCMB’s lending capabilities with 247 Travels’ booking services to offer customers a flexible payment option as demand for instalment-based financing grows globally.

“At FCMB, we believe banking should empower people to pursue their goals without unnecessary financial strain,” FCMB Managing Director YemisiEdun said.

“Our Book Now, Fly Later solution makes travel more accessible and affordable while giving customers flexibility to manage their finances responsibly,” Edun stated.

She said the initiative aligns with the bank’s broader strategy of promoting inclusive growth through innovation and partnerships.

“We will continue to develop products and partnerships that simplify financial decisions and create value for our customers,” Edun added.

TunjiAdeyemi, Managing Director of 247 Travels, said the programme addresses a key challenge for travellers by reducing the burden of paying the full cost of tickets upfront.

“Travellers increasingly want flexibility and convenience,” Adeyemi said. “Our partnership with FCMB enables customers to secure flights and spread payments over time.”

OpeyemiMakinwa, FCMB’s Group Head of Premium Banking, said the product reflects the bank’s focus on lifestyle offerings through strategic partnerships.

“Customers expect financial services that fit naturally into their lives,” Makinwa said. “Book Now, Fly Later provides greater flexibility and financial control.”

Customers can apply through FCMB’s Book Now, Fly Later platform or the 247 Travels website by selecting a preferred flight and completing a financing request. Once approved, the loan is disbursed, and the ticket is issued through 247 Travels.

By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

Nigeria’s growing exposure to drug trafficking through its seaports is posing a serious threat to the country’s international trade reputation, economic competitiveness and investment prospects, the Sea Empowerment & Research Center (SEREC) has warned.

In its July 2026 Policy Bulletin released yesterday, SEREC said the persistent use of Nigerian seaports as transit routes for narcotics could trigger stricter cargo inspections by destination countries, resulting in longer cargo clearance times, higher logistics costs and disruptions to legitimate trade.

The organisation warned that the continued exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime gateways by international drug trafficking syndicates could undermine confidence in the country’s port system and elevate its global maritime risk profile.

According to the report, the consequences extend beyond criminality, with the country’s trade and economic interests also at risk.

“Beyond the criminal dimension, persistent attempts to use Nigerian ports as transit corridors for narcotics could undermine the country’s international trade reputation, attract stricter destination-country inspections, increase cargo clearance delays, discourage investment, and elevate Nigeria’s global maritime risk profile,” the bulletin stated.

SEREC further noted that maritime drug trafficking fuels a network of other transnational crimes, including money laundering, organised crime, corruption and illicit financial flows, all of which weaken institutions, undermine national security and threaten economic stability.

To curb the menace, the organisation urged the Federal Government to move beyond a seizure-based enforcement strategy and adopt an intelligence-led approach to prevention.

Specifically, it recommended the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven cargo profiling, wider installation of non-intrusive cargo scanners, stronger container tracking systems and enhanced collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other security agencies.

SEREC also advocated the full implementation of the National Single Window platform to improve information sharing, cargo monitoring and risk assessment across government agencies involved in trade facilitation and border security.

According to the report, integrating technology with stronger inter-agency cooperation would significantly reduce the ability of criminal networks to exploit Nigerian ports while improving the efficiency of legitimate cargo movement.

“SEREC therefore calls for a transition from seizure-based enforcement to intelligence-led prevention through the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven cargo profiling, wider installation of non-intrusive cargo scanners, strengthened container tracking systems, deeper collaboration among Customs, NDLEA, NPA, NIMASA and other security agencies, and the full integration of the National Single Window to enhance information sharing and risk management,” the report stated.

It stressed that Nigeria’s ports must remain gateways for legitimate international commerce rather than safe havens for transnational criminal enterprises, warning that proactive reforms are essential to protect trade, attract investment and safeguard the nation’s long-term economic security.

By Peter Egwuatu

The shareholders of Tantalizers Plc have commended its Board of Directors and Management for the company’s return to profitability.

The board also assured the shareholders that the company’s emerging growth trajectory was founded on strong operational foundations that would ensure sustainable long-term profitability and returns to investors.

At the company’s Annual General Meeting, AGM Chairman held virtual , Tantalizers Plc, Alhaji Adam Nuru, said the company’s rebound to profitability in 2025 was as a result of a strategic decision to focus on stronger operational foundations that would support future growth and reduce execution risks.

He said the company’s turnaround reflected stronger revenue generation, improved finance income, disciplined cost management and sustained focus on operational excellence, all which would remain priorities in the period ahead.

According to him, the company recognises that while the return to profitability represents an important milestone, it is only one step in a longer journey of sustained value creation for shareholders.

“The board remains focused on improving the quality, sustainability and scalability of earnings while maintaining prudent financial management,” Nuru said.

He noted that Tantalizers recorded a modest net profit after tax of N73 million in 2025, breaking a losing streak that saw net loss of N265.59 million in 2024. The company recorded turnover of N2.90 billion in 2025. Gross profit stood at N463.78 million while profit before tax closed at N83.70 million.

He added that another new subsidiary, Tantalizers Fisheries Limited has achieved substantial progress in infrastructure development and organizational capacity to support long-term competitiveness.

Shareholders also approved all the resolutions, including the appointment of MrAkintadeOgidan as a director and re-election of MrsAbosedeAyeni as a Non-Executive Director, MrBamideleOke as an Executive Director and Dr Israel Ovirih as a Non-Executive Director