The Nigerian government is targeting more revenues from air cargo exports. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air cargo, including exports of agricultural produce from Nigeria, accounted for about 35 per cent of global trade last year. Therefore, the government is seeking more participation in this value chain by putting in place action plans/interventions that will bridge the turnaround time for cargo facilitation at the airports.
According to the Airports Council International (ACI), the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos ranks fifth in Africa with 204,649 tons of cargo air freighted in the last few years.
Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, said the government is using intentional infrastructure – Aviation Cargo Village at the Lagos Airport, other international airports and cargo facilities – to drive agro-produce export.
