BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), through its Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS), has intensified efforts to modernise and reposition the nation’s air cargo ecosystem with a strategic engagement involving key freight forwarding and cargo agents operating at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The high-level stakeholders’ meeting, held on May 12, 2026, focused on charting a new operational framework for the proposed Cargo Village project, an initiative designed to drive efficiency, standardisation, security, and global competitiveness within Nigeria’s growing air cargo industry.
The engagement, themed “Strategic Engagement Session on Cargo Village Development and Operational Framework,” brought together recognised agents’ associations and major operators across the cargo value chain in what FAAN described as a deliberate move toward building a more transparent and integrated cargo system.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr. Lekan Thomas, the General Manager, Cargo, Alao Mamman, stressed the importance of deeper collaboration among stakeholders in achieving the objectives of the Cargo Village initiative.
She explained that the project is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce bottlenecks in cargo handling processes, and align Nigeria’s cargo operations with international standards and global best practices.
According to her, the success of the project would depend largely on sustained cooperation between FAAN and industry operators, especially licensed cargo agents and freight forwarders who play strategic roles in the movement of goods through the nation’s airports.
“The Cargo Village initiative is aimed at creating a more efficient and globally competitive cargo environment. Stronger collaboration among all stakeholders is critical to achieving this vision,” she said.
Industry stakeholders at the session were also briefed on the broader vision behind the planned Aviacargo Village, which FAAN sees as a critical infrastructure project capable of transforming Nigeria into a regional logistics and cargo distribution hub.
In his presentation, the General Manager, Cargo Partnerships and Registration, Jay Etim, outlined several priority areas driving the project.
These include the development of the Aviacargo Village, creation of an integrated cargo logistics hub, co-location of cargo stakeholders for improved coordination, enhanced operational standards, stricter access control systems, and stronger regulatory compliance mechanisms.
Etim also highlighted the strategic role licensed agents are expected to play within the evolving cargo ecosystem, especially as FAAN seeks to streamline operations and improve cargo processing timelines at the airport.
He noted that the integrated cargo hub concept would help eliminate operational fragmentation while promoting easier coordination among airlines, customs officials, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and other service providers operating within the cargo chain.
According to him, the proposed framework is expected to create a more structured and secure operating environment capable of supporting increased cargo volumes, reducing delays, and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade logistics.
The session also served as a platform for operators and industry associations to make inputs into the proposed framework, with discussions centering on operational realities, implementation concerns, and the need for inclusiveness in policy formulation.
Stakeholders welcomed the consultative approach adopted by FAAN, noting that sustained engagement with industry players would be essential to ensuring the long-term success and practicality of the Cargo Village project.
Participants also underscored the importance of aligning the initiative with global cargo handling standards, particularly at a time when African countries are increasingly positioning themselves to benefit from the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The meeting forms part of FAAN’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation logistics infrastructure and unlock greater economic value from the non-passenger segment of the aviation industry.
Industry analysts say improved cargo infrastructure remains critical to boosting exports, supporting e-commerce growth, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and attracting international logistics investments into Nigeria’s aviation sector.
With cargo volumes projected to rise steadily in the coming years, stakeholders believe the successful implementation of the Aviacargo Village could significantly improve Nigeria’s standing as a regional air freight gateway for West and Central Africa.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
