The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has resumed the direct collection of cargo revenue at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, marking the first time in 15 years that the authority has handled such collections independently.
This milestone was announced in a statement signed by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, and shared via the authority’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
FAAN officials from the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS) are now deployed at the cargo release points of both Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouses. Their presence enables real-time monitoring and direct collection of cargo charges, enhancing transparency and accountability.
According to the statement, this strategic shift follows months of stakeholder engagement led by Mr. Lekan Thomas, FAAN’s Director of Cargo Development and Services, in collaboration with the Airport Manager, Mr. Olatokubo Arewa.
The initiative also received a significant boost from a high-level meeting between FAAN’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. It is being implemented in close coordination with the PTC Customs Area Command, under the leadership of Comptroller T. Awe.
The reintroduction of direct revenue collection is aimed at reducing leakages, closing oversight gaps, and improving the efficiency of cargo operations at MMIA. FAAN anticipates that this new approach will serve as a blueprint for similar reforms at other airports nationwide.
For over a decade, cargo revenue was collected indirectly through third-party handlers like NAHCO and SAHCO—a process that was often fraught with inefficiencies and revenue losses. By taking charge of the collection process, FAAN can now ensure real-time tracking of funds and improved revenue assurance.
This development is part of a broader effort to strengthen FAAN’s revenue base and enhance operational effectiveness across Nigeria’s aviation cargo value chain.
