BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has strengthened its position in the aviation ground handling business with the renewal of major contracts with Qatar Airways, Saudia Airlines and ASKY Airlines, while also securing a fresh agreement with FlyGabon and expanding into the export logistics value chain through the shipment of solar cells to the United States.
The company said the contract renewals and new business wins underscore growing confidence in its operations and reinforce its leadership in the West African aviation handling market.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NAHCO disclosed that it had reached an agreement with Qatar Airways to extend its ground handling partnership for another three years.
The company also renewed its long-standing contract with Saudia Airlines for five years and secured a further three-year extension with regional carrier ASKY Airlines.
The company added that it has signed a three-year contract with FlyGabon, covering the period from October 2024 to September 2027, as the Central African airline expands its operations into the Nigerian market.
According to NAHCO, FlyGabon’s entry into Nigeria is expected to strengthen connectivity between West, Central and Southern Africa, while creating new opportunities for passenger and cargo movement across the continent.
The latest agreements add to a growing list of airline partnerships secured by the company in recent months.
Earlier this year, NAHCO announced contract renewals and new deals involving international carriers such as Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and RwandAir, as well as agreements with operators including Sky 7, Pioneer, Avia Green, Benani and the Aviation Clearing House.
The company said the sustained flow of new contracts reflects confidence in its more than four decades of service delivery within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Beyond aviation handling, NAHCO also disclosed that it has commenced the export of solar cells from Nigeria to the United States, marking a significant milestone in its cargo and logistics operations.
According to the company, BGE (Nigeria) Solar FZE began exporting solar cells from Lagos to the United States in January 2026 through NAHCO’s cargo facilities.
The project initially relied on scheduled international carriers including Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and DHL. Shipments ranged between 20 and 50 tonnes per consignment and were moved through freight forwarding partners such as Access Freight and Ideal Royal.
NAHCO said it is providing comprehensive logistics support for the project, including cargo acceptance, warehousing, build-up services and export processing.
The company is also responsible for aircraft ground handling services to ensure efficient operations and on-time departures.
Industry observers view the development as a significant boost for Nigeria’s non-oil export drive and an indication of growing opportunities in renewable energy supply chains.
Commenting on the contract renewals and new partnerships, NAHCO’s Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, Prince Saheed Lasisi, said the agreements demonstrate the confidence airlines continue to place in the company’s capabilities.
“We are fully prepared to exceed the expectations of these new partners, drawing on more than 47 years of unblemished service to maintain our reputation for excellence,” he said.
Lasisi added that the renewals by established international airlines and the decision of new entrants to partner with NAHCO confirm the company’s leadership position in the industry.
He stated that the contracts prove that NAHCO remains ahead of competitors in delivering reliable and efficient ground handling services.
Also speaking on the developments, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun, said the company would continue to focus on delivering value to customers and shareholders through innovation and operational excellence.
According to him, the deployment of new technologies across the company’s operations is helping to improve efficiency and meet the increasingly complex requirements of airline customers.
“We remain committed to a strategy that prioritises operational discipline and stakeholder happiness, ensuring that NAHCO continues to set the benchmark for safety and reliability in African aviation,” Olumekun said.
He added that the company would continue to support airlines and travellers through integrated handling solutions while contributing to improved connectivity across Africa.
Founded in 1979, NAHCO is one of Nigeria’s largest aviation service providers, with operations across major airports in the country.
The company has diversified into logistics, energy, airport management, hospitality and commodity exports, positioning itself as a major player in multiple sectors of the economy.
The latest contract renewals and expansion into solar cell exports are expected to further strengthen the company’s revenue base and deepen its role in supporting both aviation growth and Nigeria’s export ambitions.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
