Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, has renewed the company’s call for tax incentives on the importation of ground support equipment. She said the sector is under intense pressure from inflation, soaring foreign exchange rates and the rising cost of technical assets. According to her, Nigerian handlers can no longer sustain these financial shocks without a targeted policy intervention from the Federal Government. The focus on tax incentives appeared early in her presentation, reflecting what she described as a national economic necessity rather than a corporate preference.
Speaking during the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Gateway Forum, Aboderin explained that the industry’s unavoidable dependence on foreign-manufactured equipment has created a structural imbalance. She said most critical tools, spare parts, software and even basic utilities are imported, making them vulnerable to currency volatility and global supply chain disruptions. She noted that tax incentives would help operators acquire modern equipment that supports safety, efficiency and sustainable growth across all airports.
She added that SAHCO has continued to maintain service quality in more than twenty-two locations nationwide. However, she stressed that the cost of acquiring and maintaining high-value equipment keeps rising beyond what operators can manage. Therefore, she said government support has become essential to protect the competitiveness of Nigerian ground handlers and secure their future in an industry that is becoming increasingly technology driven.
Aboderin also highlighted SAHCO’s aggressive investment in green ground support equipment. She described this transition as a strategic step that supports climate goals and positions the company ahead of environmental regulations. SAHCO now operates the largest network of charging points for electric GSE at Nigerian airports. Lagos alone has multiple charging bays at both the airside and technical areas, while Abuja is fully equipped. She revealed that the company is also installing solar-powered charging stations to ensure uninterrupted operations during grid instability, thereby reducing emissions and operational downtime.
She explained that the growing fleet of electric equipment has already improved fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs. The move also aligns with global aviation standards, particularly the shift towards environmentally responsible handling operations. Aboderin said that although SAHCO is proud of these achievements, the cost of expanding this green fleet would have been significantly lower if tax incentives were already in place.
Technology adoption has become another major pillar of SAHCO’s operational strategy. Aboderin explained that the company now uses digital systems to reduce manual errors, improve turn-around efficiency and enhance transparency.
Aboderin stressed that SAHCO also maintains its leadership in industry certifications, which she described as the backbone of the company’s credibility. She said SAHCO retains cargo compliance approvals for Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, and holds RE3 cargo security approval across major stations. She noted that staff continue to undergo Dangerous Goods training, including advanced sessions in Singapore. New 5DX screening systems and upgraded X-ray technology ensure compliance with U.S. TSA requirements.
The SAHCO MD said the company has also upgraded its cargo terminals to support the rising volume of export goods driven by Nigeria’s foreign exchange situation. She explained that Lagos cargo facilities now have an expanded drop-off lane, re-engineered export tunnels with newly imported scanners and upgraded cold rooms with digital monitoring. Abuja’s cold-chain facilities have been enhanced, and Port Harcourt will soon receive an expanded cold storage system. She said exporters across West Africa now rely on SAHCO’s strengthened cold chain to move temperature-sensitive goods to Europe and other destinations.
Aboderin further disclosed that SAHCO is developing a fully integrated e-commerce logistics hub, scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2026. The hub will operate like a mini distribution centre with real-time tracking, warehousing and last-mile delivery capabilities. She said the company is working with international e-commerce partners to tailor the facility to Nigerian realities.
She added that SAHCO is expanding its footprint across Nigeria and supporting new regional operations. The company now serves Bayelsa Airport and Gateway Airport, and provides handling for airlines such as Air Tanzania, Air Algeria, Ethiopian Airlines in Abuja and ValueJet’s new route network. She confirmed that discussions are ongoing with three African countries, with at least one international operation expected before the end of next year’s first quarter.
On workforce development, Aboderin said SAHCO has implemented another salary increment to support staff during the economic downturn. She emphasised that continuous training in emotional intelligence, safety and operations remains central to the company’s human capital plan.
Aboderin concluded her presentation with another strong appeal for tax incentives, insisting that the long-term survival of the handling sector depends on it. She warned that even with innovation, digitalisation and sustainability initiatives, operators cannot escape the financial burden of importing essential equipment. She said only tax incentives will ease this pressure, support green investment and help Nigeria’s aviation sector meet global standards.
