Ongoing cargo reforms, especially at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos aims to enhance operational standards, sanitise the environment and provide security ensuring Nigerian exports meet global requirements and avoid rejection. ANTHONY OMOH writes.

Efforts to sanitize and streamline Nigeria’s air cargo sector are currently underway, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) spearheading these reforms at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, is pushing to modernize processes and invest in infrastructure that will elevate Nigeria’s air cargo sector, positioning the country to capture more of the global air cargo market. This effort is essential in transforming Nigeria’s export landscape and improving the acceptance of Nigerian goods abroad.

In the first quarter of 2024, Nigeria’s air transport sector facilitated the export of goods valued at ₦55.32 billion, making up just 0.29% of the total export value of ₦19.167 trillion. Maritime transport dominated, with 99.25% of exports, while air transport accounted for a larger share of imports, handling goods worth ₦707.56 billion, or about 5.60% of the total import value of ₦12.643 trillion. These figures clearly highlight the need for Nigeria to bolster its air cargo capacity and address the export-import imbalance. 

Kuku is keen on reversing this trend by tackling the root causes—outdated airport infrastructure, a shortage of aircraft, and underinvestment in the aviation sector. Experts estimate that over $5 billion is required to upgrade air cargo facilities across at least 24 airports nationwide. However, FAAN is already taking action within its means by investing in critical infrastructure and optimizing operations to ensure compliance with international standards. This includes improving the cargo processing facilities at MMIA and ensuring the handling of both perishable and non-perishable goods meets global benchmarks.

A significant step in this effort was the commissioning of Nahcoaviance’s N1 billion Export Processing and Packaging Centre in February 2024. This facility aims to leverage Nigeria’s agricultural potential by addressing critical issues such as shelf-life, temperature control, packaging, handling, and regulatory compliance. As part of this reform, the Aviacargo committee introduced a five-step export pathway to ensure that Nigerian goods, especially perishables, are not rejected abroad.

This pathway tracks exports from registered farms, through licensed handlers, and ensures compliance with stringent regulatory checks by Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), NDLEA, and Customs before goods are sent to airlines.

The export pathway includes a registered shipper who aggregates and consolidates products, a regulated agent licensed as KC3, and certified handling companies meeting international standards. These measures are designed to increase Nigeria’s export acceptance, reduce cargo rejection rates, and streamline operations.

In August 2024, a pilot project was launched to test these reforms at four airports: Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Jos. A series of trial runs were conducted to test the efficiency of the newly developed Air Cargo Pathway. Exporting perishables from farm to Lagos Airport within 24 hours for efficiency testing. Another trial will handle cereals through Kano Airport. Exports will also be tested through Enugu and Jos Airports.

“These trial runs aim to assess the effectiveness of the Air Cargo Pathway developed by the Roadmap Committee”. The trials will involve stakeholders from across the Air Cargo ecosystem, including key government agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NAFDAC, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), NDLEA, and Nigerian Customs. This collaborative effort is designed to ensure smoother, more reliable export processes for Nigerian goods, especially perishables, and improve the overall efficiency of the sector.

Under Kuku’s leadership, the cargo section of Nigeria’s airports is undergoing a major transformation. John Ogbe, Head of the Cargo Department, emphasized that nearly 90% of cargo personnel have been registered, with biometric data collection to follow. The introduction of a controlled gate system and a two-gate entry-exit process will enhance security and reduce unauthorized access, a critical step in sanitizing the cargo environment. “Our aim is to ensure that we know who is accessing the cargo areas and for what purpose. This is part of our strategy to enhance security and accountability,” Ogbe explained.

Ogbe further emphasized the impact of these changes on Nigeria’s trade facilitation. “The new gate system, where we have a clear entry and exit point, will help us ensure better control and avoid unauthorized access to cargo areas. This will also reduce the risk of cargo theft and fraud, ensuring that the goods are handled in a secure and structured environment,” he said.

Addressing one of the sector’s long-standing issues—truck congestion—Ogbe highlighted the introduction of a pickup system akin to that of the Nigeria Ports Authority. “In the past, we had trucks lingering for days and even weeks without any cargo to move. With the new system, only trucks with scheduled cargo movements will be allowed access to the cargo area,” Ogbe said. “This change will reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and ensure a quicker turnover of goods.”

These changes are part of a broader strategy to improve trade facilitation, particularly the export of non-oil goods, aligning with the federal government’s economic diversification goals. “If we get this right,” Ogbe remarked, “Nigeria will begin to earn significant foreign exchange from non-oil exports.” He also underscored the critical need to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports, which currently outweigh exports by a ratio of 90-10. “We are currently importing everything, from toothpicks to meat. This has left us at a disadvantage. We need to reverse this trend,” Ogbe added.

Earlier, Tunde Oluweye, Head of Security at the Cargo Warehouse, praised the ongoing efforts to upgrade security infrastructure at the warehouse. “We now have the Itemizer 5X, a state-of-the-art explosive trace detector that ensures the safety and security of all shipments leaving the warehouse,” Oluweye stated. “This new machine replaces outdated versions, and we have worked closely with Delta Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure it meets international standards for security checks.”

He explained that this upgrade was vital for meeting the heightened security demands of international airlines. “Delta insisted on this upgrade, and after TSA approved the new system, we have been able to use it for all outbound cargo, ensuring that all shipments meet global security standards,” Oluweye said.

These upgrades, combined with FAAN’s broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance, will help reduce the risk of cargo rejection abroad and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global air cargo market. 

The cargo reforms at Nigerian airports, under Kuku’s guidance, are poised to lay the foundation for a thriving air cargo sector. By implementing these measures and ensuring compliance with international standards, Nigeria’s aviation sector will play a pivotal role in driving the nation’s economic growth, providing new avenues for generating foreign exchange, and strengthening the country’s position in global trade.

“As we continue to clean up the system and enforce these reforms, we will create an environment where Nigerians can engage in legitimate, profitable exports,” Ogbe concluded. “This is how we stimulate the economy, make aviation cargo truly profitable, and turn Nigeria into a global player in air cargo.”

The efforts to streamline Nigeria’s air cargo sector aim to establish a more efficient, secure, and profitable environment for international trade. FAAN’s leadership and strategic investments signal a future where Nigeria’s cargo industry plays a more prominent role in the global market.