Efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s non‑oil export capacity are taking shape through reforms in the air cargo sector that focus on infrastructure, logistics efficiency and revenue processes, industry sources say.
Nigeria’s non‑oil export sector has long faced logistical challenges that limit the competitiveness of agricultural and other export goods.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has implemented structural changes to address bottlenecks and integrate the aviation freight system with export needs.
In December 2024, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development established a dedicated Cargo Development Directorate within the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to drive improvements in the air cargo value chain.
One major development was the commissioning of a new cargo terminal at the General Aviation Terminal in Lagos in May 2025.
The facility is intended to improve cargo handling capacity and reduce logistical delays that have historically hindered exports, especially of perishable agricultural products.
Plans are reportedly underway to replicate enhanced cargo facilities at other major airports, including those in Abuja and Kano, to expand modern cargo processing infrastructure nationwide.
The reforms also include collaboration with stakeholders across the export logistics chain, including Nigeria Customs Service, freight forwarders, ground handlers and cooperatives, to reduce procedural friction and improve throughput.
In efforts to improve revenue sustainability and accountability, FAAN resumed direct collection of cargo revenue at Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s cargo terminal after a long hiatus.
This measure places Directorate officials at cargo release points to plug revenue leakages.
A proposed tariff adjustment for cargo charges prompted industry discussions. Initial plans to raise rates from N7 to N25 per kilogram drew opposition and resulted in negotiations that produced a compromise rate of N15 per kilogram.
Officials and industry actors say that efficient cargo operations are essential for non‑oil exports to compete successfully in global markets, and that cold‑chain systems and faster logistics connections are crucial for perishable goods.
