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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially resumed direct revenue collection at the cargo terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after a 15-year break.
The development, which marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector, was announced in a statement by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, on Saturday through the agency’s verified X handle.
According to the statement, FAAN has deployed officials from its Directorate of Cargo Development and Services to the cargo release points at both the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouses.
These officials will now supervise real-time collection of accrued cargo charges, closing a long-standing revenue gap.
FAAN noted that this resumption was long overdue, as the absence of direct oversight in cargo revenue collection over the past 15 years had created loopholes, leading to significant revenue losses.
The new system, the authority said, is designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and efficiency across the air cargo value chain.
The agency is working closely with the PTC Customs Area Command under the leadership of Comptroller T. Awe to harmonise processes.
This inter-agency collaboration is expected to reduce bottlenecks, discourage corruption, and improve the ease of doing business within the aviation sector.
“This milestone is a testament to FAAN’s renewed commitment to operational efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency collaboration to enhance revenue performance,” the statement read in part.
The return of direct revenue collection at MMIA’s cargo terminals comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s economy.
With foreign exchange pressures, declining oil revenues, and rising import demands, aviation cargo handling is seen as a strategic source of non-oil revenue.
Experts note that efficient cargo operations are vital for Nigeria’s participation in global trade. Lagos, being West Africa’s busiest air cargo hub, handles thousands of tonnes of imports and exports monthly, ranging from perishable goods to high-value industrial equipment.
Industry stakeholders say FAAN’s move could generate billions of naira annually, while also boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation reforms.
It also aligns with the federal government’s broader economic diversification drive aimed at strengthening non-oil sectors.
FAAN hinted that the success recorded at MMIA would be replicated across other major airports in Nigeria, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu.
The authority is also exploring automation of cargo processes to curb human interference and speed up clearance.
In addition, FAAN has promised to improve infrastructure at cargo terminals, including digital payment platforms, modern warehouses, and better customer service facilities, to meet international standards.
For over 15 years, cargo revenue collection at Lagos airport was managed indirectly through third-party processes, leaving FAAN without direct control over accrued fees.
Aviation unions had long criticised the arrangement, accusing past administrations of inefficiency and corruption.
By resuming direct oversight, FAAN appears determined to rebuild trust with both government and private sector stakeholders while ensuring that cargo handling becomes a sustainable revenue driver for the aviation industry.
The resumption of cargo revenue collection at Lagos airport after 15 years is more than just a financial breakthrough.
It signals a renewed era of accountability, operational efficiency, and industry reform.
If replicated nationwide, the initiative could transform Nigeria’s aviation cargo sector into a globally competitive hub, while strengthening the country’s non-oil revenue base.