The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has diminished the cargo port cost on the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport (MMIA), Lagos, to N15 per kilogram following negotiations with cargo dealing with stakeholders.
The event was disclosed in a press release signed by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Shopper Safety, Henry Agbebire, and revealed on the Authority’s official X web page on Tuesday.
The revised tariff comes after weeks of pushback from Customs Licensed Cargo Brokers over an earlier proposal to boost the cost to N20 per kilogram, prompting negotiations aimed toward reaching a compromise and restoring clean cargo operations at Nigeria’s busiest airport.
The adjustment is anticipated to ease tensions inside the air cargo worth chain, reopen stalled warehouses, and supply a center floor between FAAN’s infrastructure funding wants and operators’ value considerations.
What FAAN is saying
FAAN mentioned the brand new N15 per kilogram price represents a balanced compromise between its earlier N20 proposal and the long-standing N7 cost that had been in place since 2008.
In keeping with the Authority, the settlement displays constructive dialogue and a shared dedication by all events to enhance cargo operations and infrastructure at MMIA.
- “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reached an settlement with Customs Licensed Cargo Brokers working on the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on the proposed overview of cargo port prices.”
- “The settlement was achieved at a stakeholders’ assembly held on Monday, ninth February 2026, on the MMIA Terminal 2 Convention Room, chaired by the Director of Cargo Growth and Companies, Mr. Lekan Thomas.”
- “After constructive deliberations, each events agreed on a revised port cost of N15.00 per kilogramme, representing a compromise on their earlier proposed N20.00/kg and an upward overview of the prevailing N7.00/kg.”
FAAN added that the revised cost is anticipated to enhance the convenience of doing enterprise at MMIA whereas supporting sustainable improvement and modernization of airport cargo infrastructure.
Backstory
The tariff revision follows sharp divisions amongst Lagos-based air cargo operators after FAAN introduced a proposed enhance to N20 per kilogram on January 30.
The proposed hike marked the primary adjustment to cargo port prices in almost two a long time, triggering combined reactions throughout the trade.
- Some operators supported the rise, arguing that it was essential to fund long-overdue infrastructure upgrades and enhance operational effectivity at MMIA.
- Others described the proposed leap from N7 to N20 per kilogram as too steep and sudden, calling for a phased or moderated adjustment.
- A number of brokers pointed to persistent operational inefficiencies, together with congestion, staffing shortages, and delays in cargo processing, arguing that increased tariffs alone wouldn’t repair systemic issues.
The disagreement escalated into industrial motion, with cargo warehouses at MMIA locked and inbound shipments withheld as operators protested the implementation of the brand new price, particularly for consignments already billed below the previous tariff.
Extra insights
FAAN has mentioned that income from the revised cargo tariff shall be directed towards upgrading essential airport and cargo infrastructure.
In an unique interview with BusinessTimes, the Authority outlined a collection of initiatives tied to the proposed tariff enhance.
- Deliberate investments embrace apron and entry highway rehabilitation, improved safety infrastructure, upgraded airfield lighting, and expanded digital programs.
- FAAN mentioned the Cargo Neighborhood System (CCS) can be piloted in Lagos inside 12 months, whereas a Truck Name-Up System is anticipated inside 9 months, with Abuja serving as a secondary pilot location.
- The Authority projected at the very least a 30% discount in truck turnaround time inside the first yr and as much as a 50% discount in cargo dwell time inside three years.
FAAN additionally said that at the very least 70% of incremental cargo tariff income can be reinvested into cargo infrastructure, with efficiency tracked by way of key efficiency indicators, a Cargo Tariff Oversight Committee with stakeholder illustration, and bi-annual public efficiency stories.
What you must know
Nigeria’s air freight market is valued at over $8 billion and is concentrated in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, with Lagos dealing with the most important cargo volumes.
- The sector is being pushed by progress in e-commerce, SME commerce, and diaspora-linked shipments, notably on routes from China, the USA, and the UK.
- Key challenges embrace airport processing inefficiencies, fragmented last-mile supply programs, and better prices in contrast with regional air cargo hubs.
- Trade specialists word that bottlenecks typically happen after cargo arrival, particularly at warehouses and through ultimate supply phases.
Proposed options embrace deeper digitization, higher inter-agency coordination, technology-driven handle verification, and elevated funding in warehousing and fulfilment centres.
With improved infrastructure, clearer stakeholder alignment, and efficient know-how adoption, Nigeria’s air cargo sector is broadly seen as having sturdy potential for regular progress and enhanced export competitiveness.
