February 10, (THEWILL) — The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a reduction in cargo port charges at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, lowering the fee to ₦15 per kilogram following weeks of negotiations with aviation industry stakeholders.
The adjustment follows complaints by freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and airline operators over the previous tariff, which they argued had significantly increased cargo handling costs and negatively affected the competitiveness of Nigeria’s air freight sector. Stakeholders had also warned that high charges were pushing cargo traffic to neighbouring countries’ airports.
FAAN explained that the revised charge is part of broader efforts to create a more business-friendly operating environment at Nigeria’s airports, improve ease of doing business, and position MMIA as a preferred cargo hub in West and Central Africa.
Sources within the authority said the new rate will take immediate effect at the international cargo terminal, adding that FAAN remains open to further dialogue with stakeholders should the need arise.
Industry operators have welcomed the development, describing it as a timely intervention that will help reduce logistics costs, lower prices of imported goods, and enhance the viability of air freight for time-sensitive exports such as agricultural produce, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing inputs.
Some stakeholders also noted that the reduction could encourage increased cargo volumes, improve revenue generation in the long term through higher throughput, and support the Federal Government’s drive to boost non-oil exports.
FAAN reiterated its commitment to transparency and regular consultations with industry players, stressing that policies and charges at the nation’s airports will continue to be reviewed in line with economic realities and international best practices.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
