Nigeria has intensified efforts to reposition its aviation sector as a critical driver of export growth, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) unveiling a far-reaching strategy to overhaul air cargo operations and unlock the vast potential within the Nigeria–United Kingdom trade corridor.
Delivering a keynote address on Thursday in Lagos, the Director of Cargo Development and Services at FAAN, Mr Lekan Thomas, who represented the Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, presented a candid and data-driven assessment of the structural weaknesses undermining Nigeria’s export capacity, while outlining a bold reform agenda designed to transform the country into a competitive player in global air cargo logistics.
At the heart of his presentation was a striking imbalance in Nigeria’s trade pattern: international cargo aircraft arrive daily from major global hubs laden with imports, yet frequently depart Nigerian airports with significant unused capacity.
Thomas described this as a systemic failure rather than a market limitation, stressing that Nigeria possesses both the demand and the products required to compete internationally.
He noted that the United Kingdom remains a critical trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching £8.1 billion in the year ending Q3 2025, representing steady growth. However, he argued that Nigeria has yet to fully capitalise on favourable trade frameworks, including the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which grants preferential access to thousands of Nigerian goods.
Despite this access, the country’s export performance continues to lag due to inefficiencies across the supply chain. Thomas highlighted that while projections show even marginal increases in exports could yield tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue, Nigeria’s current systems are ill-equipped to support large-scale, consistent export operations.
He attributed the challenges to a combination of outdated infrastructure, bureaucratic bottlenecks, fragmented regulatory processes, and weak coordination among agencies.
Exporters, he explained, often face multiple inspections, duplicative documentation requirements, and excessive charges – conditions that erode competitiveness and discourage participation in international markets.
The FAAN official also pointed to the absence of functional aggregation systems as a major constraint. According to him, Nigeria’s agricultural exports are largely driven by smallholder farmers who lack the capacity to meet the volume, quality, and certification standards required by international buyers. Without structured aggregation centres to consolidate and process produce, the country struggles to achieve scale and consistency.
He emphasised that such centres – ideally driven through public-private partnerships – would play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between production and export, ensuring traceability, quality assurance, and compliance with global standards.
Drawing lessons from countries such as Kenya, where integrated export systems have enabled rapid clearance and efficient logistics, Thomas warned that Nigeria risks falling further behind if urgent reforms are not implemented.
He added that competing African economies are already investing heavily in cargo infrastructure and cold chain systems, positioning themselves as preferred export hubs.
A major pillar of FAAN’s reform agenda is the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital platform designed to streamline trade processes by enabling a one-time submission of export documentation accessible to all relevant agencies. Thomas described the initiative as a “game changer” that would significantly reduce delays, eliminate redundancies, and improve transparency.
However, he cautioned that the success of the NSW would depend on sustained advocacy and collaboration between government and the private sector. He called on the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce to take a leading role in pushing for its full implementation, including engaging policymakers, facilitating international partnerships, and holding stakeholders accountable.
The keynote also highlighted growing opportunities within the Nigeria–UK trade corridor, particularly in high-value sectors such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce logistics, and solid minerals.
Thomas noted that global demand for fresh produce and temperature-sensitive goods is rising, with significant investments being made in cold storage facilities at major European airports.
He stressed that Nigeria must act swiftly to position itself as a reliable supplier, leveraging its agricultural potential and expanding manufacturing base to meet international demand.
In a broader context, Thomas referenced increasing global interest in Africa’s air cargo market, noting that the continent is experiencing a structural shift as logistics, e-commerce, and pharmaceutical distribution reshape trade dynamics.
He argued that Nigeria, given its economic size and strategic location, is well-placed to benefit from this shift – provided it addresses its internal inefficiencies.
To this end, FAAN has commenced a series of initiatives aimed at modernising cargo operations.
These include upgrading cargo terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, developing dedicated cargo villages with integrated facilities, expanding airside infrastructure to accommodate large freighter aircraft, and introducing digital cargo community systems to accelerate processing times.
Thomas revealed that the authority is also working to attract dedicated cargo airlines through targeted incentives, including reduced landing charges and volume-based rebates, while exploring partnerships with private investors to fund infrastructure development.
Additionally, efforts are underway to harmonise regulatory frameworks, standardise charges, and improve inter-agency collaboration through service-level agreements and unified operating procedures.
He further outlined plans to develop a hub-and-spoke cargo network, with Lagos and Abuja serving as primary hubs supported by regional airports and linked to agricultural and industrial clusters across the country.
In his address to the business community, Thomas urged Nigerian exporters to prioritise quality, certification, and traceability, noting that access to international markets is increasingly dependent on compliance with stringent standards.
He also encouraged British partners to support capacity-building initiatives that would enable Nigerian producers to meet these requirements.
Concluding his remarks, Thomas reiterated that Nigeria’s export challenges are not insurmountable but require decisive action, sustained investment, and collective commitment from all stakeholders.
He described the current export process as an “obstacle course” that must be replaced with a streamlined, technology-driven system capable of supporting efficient trade flows from production to final delivery.
With strong political backing, including recent engagements between the Federal Government and international aviation stakeholders, he expressed optimism that Nigeria is on the cusp of a major transformation in its air cargo sector.
As global trade patterns continue to evolve, the success of these reforms, he noted, will determine whether Nigeria remains a largely import-dependent economy or emerges as a competitive exporter within the international marketplace.
About The Author
