BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
To strengthen Nigeria’s aviation logistics and position the country as a key player in regional trade, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commissioned a state-of-the-art domestic cargo processing facility at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos.
The newly unveiled terminal, commissioned on May 9, 2025, highlights FAAN’s renewed commitment to modernising the nation’s cargo infrastructure, in line with its ultimate mandate of improving aviation services across the country.
The initiative, according to FAAN, is part of the vision of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, under the leadership of the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services headed by Mr. Lekan Thomas.
Representing FAAN’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, at the commissioning ceremony was Ms. Joy Agunbiade, Director of Commercial and Business Development.
Speaking at the event, she described the new terminal as a“ strategic investment that responds to the growing demand for efficient, secure, and scalable logistics solutions driven by e-commerce and non-oil exports, particularly in agriculture.”
“The facility will significantly reduce delays, eliminate operational bottlenecks, and create a more seamless cargo flow, which in turn supports businesses and exporters across Nigeria,” she added.
Equipped to meet the demands of modern logistics, the facility is expected to enhance the movement of goods within Nigeria and serve as a magnet for both domestic and international freight operators.
Its commissioning signals FAAN’s intention to make Lagos a central node in the country’s cargo network, facilitating improved access to global markets.
In a further boost to Nigeria’s cargo development strategy, FAAN announced plans to replicate this model terminal in other key cities, including Abuja, Kano, Jos, Minna (Niger State), and Port Harcourt.
This aligns with the Authority’s national roadmap to decentralise cargo processing and stimulate trade growth across all regions.
According to Mrs. Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, “This is more than just infrastructure—it is a gateway for commerce, a bridge for farmers and manufacturers, and a driver of economic growth. We are proud to be leading this transformation.”
She added that with the new milestone, FAAN seeks to reaffirm its role as a catalyst for aviation-enabled trade, advancing Nigeria’s ambition to become a logistics powerhouse within Africa and beyond.
