Nigeria is pursuing aggressive air cargo reforms to boost non-oil exports, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) spearheading initiatives including a new directorate and modern cargo terminals to overcome persistent logistical barriers.
Historically, Nigeria’s agricultural sector, despite its vast potential, has struggled to access global markets due to high post-harvest losses—estimated at 80%—and inadequate cold-chain logistics. The aviation sector, traditionally passenger-centric, has neglected cargo operations, resulting in fragmented infrastructure and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
In response, the government established the Cargo Development Directorate within FAAN in December 2024, under Minister Festus Keyamo, to centralize and energize cargo efforts. A key achievement is the May 2025 commissioning of a dedicated domestic cargo terminal at Lagos’ General Aviation Terminal, designed to enhance handling capacity and reduce export bottlenecks. Similar facilities are planned for Abuja and Kano to create a nationwide network.
Revenue reforms are also underway. After a 15-year hiatus, FAAN resumed direct cargo revenue collection at Murtala Muhammed International Airport to curb leakages. Tariff adjustments from N7 to N25 per kilogram sparked protests, leading to a compromise at N15 per kg. While officials cite sustainability needs, critics warn that higher costs could diminish export competitiveness.
The directorate, led by Lekan Thomas, is fostering stakeholder collaboration among customs, freight forwarders, and agricultural agencies to streamline export processes and ensure quality compliance. Digital reforms like single-window clearance and integrated cold chains are being prioritized to meet global standards.
Aviation expert Alex Nwuba endorses the strategy, linking it to the Aviacargo Committee’s goal of elevating Nigeria from fourth to first in Africa’s air cargo rankings. He emphasizes that improving farm-to-airport logistics and reducing spoilage are critical for recognizing Nigeria as a leading exporter of products like yams.
Conversely, analyst John Ojikutu expresses skepticism, citing stagnant cargo traffic figures—consistently below 300,000 tonnes annually—and questioning the justification for substantial infrastructure spending. He urges the release of transparent data and suggests concessioning cargo terminals to private entities for better efficiency.
Broader economic challenges, including exchange rate volatility and imbalanced cargo flows (with imports far exceeding exports), complicate progress. The government’s new intra-African air cargo corridor offers discounts to stimulate regional trade, but long-term success hinges on pairing logistics reforms with macroeconomic stability.
These reforms represent a critical pivot for Nigeria’s aviation sector towards becoming a logistics enabler for trade. If implemented with data-driven rigor and sustained coordination, they could unlock Nigeria’s agricultural export potential, diversify the economy beyond oil, and position the country as a regional hub for perishable goods. However, overcoming ingrained inefficiencies and ensuring cost-effective operations remain formidable tasks.
