The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration with the Federal Government has launched a new dedicated Cargo Development Directorate  designed to link Nigerian farms directly to global consumers and intensified efforts to grow non-oil exports.

This strategic shift, initiated in late 2024 by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, seeks to inject dynamism into the country’s air freight sector and reposition Nigeria from its current fourth-place ranking to the number one spot for air cargo in Africa.

The reforms have already led to significant milestones, including the commissioning of a new domestic cargo terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Lagos in May 2025. 

This facility was designed to improve handling efficiency and reduce bottlenecks for perishable agricultural exports like mangoes, okra, and leafy vegetables. 

FAAN officials noted that the authority planned to replicate this model in Abuja and Kano to decentralise modern cargo processing nationwide.

To support these physical upgrades, the Cargo Directorate has engaged stakeholders across the supply chain, including the Nigeria Customs Service and ground handlers, to dismantle bureaucratic silos. 

Aviation expert Alex Nwuba noted that 80 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural produce was historically lost between the farm and the airport due to logistical failures. 

He stated that the new directorate’s job was to streamline this process and ensure that products were not rejected upon arrival in foreign markets.

However, the reforms have also faced scrutiny. Aviation security expert John Ojikutu questioned whether the expansion was backed by credible traffic data, noting that imports historically outpaced exports by four to five times. 

He advocated for the concessioning of cargo terminals to private operators to improve revenue collection and operational efficiency.

Despite these debates, the government has moved forward with financial reforms, including the direct collection of cargo revenue at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. 

Additionally, an intra-African air cargo corridor has been unveiled, offering significant discounts to exporters moving goods across key African markets to boost regional trade under the AfCFTA.

Source: Punch
Image Credit: The Cable