Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has told reporters in Washington that discussions have been held with investors about taking over ailing Nigerian airlines Arik Air (W3, Lagos) and Aero Contractors (N2, Lagos), reports This Day Live. Both airlines are currently under the management of the state through the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Adeosun did not reveal the identities of the potential backers, only saying that they are private investors. She also stressed that talks are an early stage.

"It was a preliminary discussion. They just expressed interest in buying the airlines and we told them that we would look into it," she is reported as saying.