Tension is brewing in the Nigerian aviation industry over the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) plan to review cargo tariff upward by 257 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has led a high-level delegation to the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Global Conference in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, as part of efforts to deepen international partnerships in aviation financing and fleet renewal.
The Guardian learnt that from next week, FAAN would review upward the cargo tariff from the present N7 to N25 per kilogramme, a development which is causing unrest in the industry.
The President, Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Frank Ogunnojemite, in a chat with The Guardian, confirmed the development. He lamented that the new development would further impact negatively on the cargo business and other businesses across the country.
Ogunnojemite insisted that the increase was against the advice and objections of key industry stakeholders at one of the interactions the body had with FAAN management on the issue.
He regretted that this would significantly escalate the cost of air cargo operations, discourage exports, increase import costs and ultimately place additional pressure on Nigerian businesses and consumers.
“APFFLON expresses deep concern over the upward review of cargo charges from N7 to N25 per kilogram, effective 2nd February 2026, despite the subvention and other revenue streams available to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“It questions the rationale behind this sharp increment, especially in the absence of corresponding infrastructure upgrades and service improvements, and at a time government policy is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in Nigeria,” he added.
The APFFLON president called on the management of FAAN to, as a matter of urgency, review and suspend this decision in the interest of trade facilitation, economic stability and national competitiveness.
FAAN stated yesterday that following the stabilisation of operational processes and the closure of major revenue leakages, it was positioned to implement its approved tariff adjustment, effective February 2, 2026.
According to FAAN, the tariff increase, initially scheduled for 2025, was deliberately deferred to allow time to address systemic inefficiencies.
Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, stated yesterday that Nigeria’s participation at the Dublin summit placed it firmly within global conversations on aircraft financing, airline competitiveness and sustainable growth in the aviation sector.
The yearly conference, which brings together aircraft lessors, financiers, airline executives and policymakers from across the world, offers Nigeria a strategic platform to engage partners on access to modern aircraft, balance-sheet optimisation for airlines and long-term sector development.
Part of the statement reads: “The minister’s delegation comprises key industry leaders and regulators, including the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Najomo; Director, Air Traffic Management, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ahmed Tijani; and prominent airline chief executives such as Toyin Olajide (Air Peace), Dr Obiora Okonkwo (United Nigeria Airlines) and George Urensi (Ibom Air), among other stakeholders.
“For the second successive year, the Nigerian contingent stole the spotlight at the conference, with participants recalling the minister’s heroic performance and compelling oratory at last year’s edition. This year’s engagement further reinforced Nigeria’s growing influence and credibility within the global aviation financing community.”
The statement noted that Nigeria’s aviation reform agenda gained added traction on the second day of the conference, when Keyamo led discussions with Aercap, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company. The Aercap delegation was headed by its Chief Executive Officer, Angus Kelly.