FAAN Highlights How Operational Constraints Affect Cargo Logistics

The Director of Cargo Development and Services at Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Lekan Thomas has highlighted how the various operational constraints at Nigeria’s airports affect cargo logistics, proffering solutions to the challenges.

In a presentation titled Airport Operational Constraints To Cargo Logistics In Nigeria, made today at the10th Airports Business Summit & Expo (ABSE) held in Lagos, Thomas, who was represented by Mrs. Rekiya Alao identified the three categories of challenges as infrastructure constraints with runway and taxiway congestion, limiting capacity and restricting simultaneous aircraft movements, inadequate apron space resulting in bottlenecks in parking and loading and unloading and outdated cargo terminals in form of lack of modern cold storage, warehousing, and automated handling systems.

He said “Lagos’ MMIA, handling over 70% of Nigeria’s airfreight, struggles with aging infrastructure and is not designed for today’s cargo volumes.”

Other constraints identified are resource constraints in form of staffing shortages reflecting in insufficient trained cargo handlers and technical personnel, equipment deficits with scarce ground support equipment like loaders and scanners and fuel supply issues that make erratic aviation fuel availability disrupt schedules. The impact of this is “delays in cargo processing leading to spoilage of perishables and higher costs for exporters and importers.”

He said there also exists regulatory constraints with customs and clearance delays featuring complex, manual documentation processes, night curfews that restrict 24/7 operations at some airports and overlapping agency roles where there is duplication of inspections by multiple regulatory bodies. The consequence of this is that “Nigeria ranks poorly in global logistics performance indices due to bureaucratic inefficiencies.”

According to Thomas, effects of the constraints are delays and increased transit times as shipments take longer than regional competitors, higher costs as inefficiencies lead to rerouting, demurrage, and lost business and then, reduced competitiveness since exporters face disadvantages in global markets.

To transform Nigeria into a regional cargo hub on cargo logistics, he recommended upgrade support Infrastructure to expand runways, aprons, and cargo terminals and explore intermodal links, while deploying automation for e-freight, RFID tracking and so on.

He said FAAN also advocates streamlined regulations such as implementation of a single-window clearance system for faster custom processing, harmonized roles of regulatory agencies (NAFDAC, Nigeria Customs Service Nigeria Plant Quarantine Service, Standard Organization of Nigeria and other agencies that are involved in Cargo value Chain), capacity building to train and certify cargo handlers to global standards (IATA/ICAO) and foster Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for investment in facilities.

Also advocated, is secure and efficient operations to be attained by upgrading security screening to meet international benchmarks and adopting paperless trade and blockchain for transparency in our airport cargo operations.

Thomas said Nigeria’s cargo operations are anchored by four key international airports namely Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos)- the primary gateway for air cargo, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja)- a growing hub for domestic and regional trade, Port Harcourt International Airport – a critical for oil and gas logistics, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport – a strategic link to Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region and Akanu Ibiam International Airport (Enugu) –Pivotal for e-commerce along the SE and environ.

He said “while these airports form the backbone of our cargo logistics, their operational limitations hinder efficiency and scalability.”

“Nigeria’s air cargo potential is immense, but unlocking it requires collaboration between government, private sector, and international partners. By addressing infrastructure gaps, optimizing regulations, and embracing technology, we can position our airports as engines of trade growth,” he concluded.