History was made over the weekend by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) with the commissioning of a new domestic cargo terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Lagos. This would be the first time a federal government owned airport terminal and an attempt at creating a cargo shed is made in 65 years.
Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku said the facility, is the first attempt at marking a significant milestone in its drive to modernise aviation logistics.
Speaking, Mrs. Kuku, who was represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Joy Agunbiade, affirmed that the initiative, led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, aims to boost export activities and strengthen Nigeria’s cargo infrastructure.
The terminal, she said, is designed to improve cargo handling operations’ efficiency, scalability and connectivity, adding that as e-commerce and agricultural exports rise, the facility offers reliable and secure logistics, helping to reduce bottlenecks and supporting businesses nationwide.
It also positions Lagos as a central cargo hub, which is expected to attract more national and international freight operators. She said, “This is key for FAAN, because one of the things that we’ve been trying to do is we’re trying to open up our revenue and then create more opportunity for growth for the industry itself.
“Now, one of the key things for us is cargo. We know that if you want to help to sort of push the economic development in the country, cargo is key, trade is key, and that is what this facility is going to do for us.”
Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr. Lekan Thomas said: “This facility is not just a brick-and-mortar structure. It is a living testament to vision, collaboration, and execution. It is the first purpose-built domestic cargo shed by FAAN, and it sets a new benchmark for operational efficiency.”
Lekan said FAAN plans to replicate a similar model across other states, including Abuja, Kano, Jos, Niger, and Port Harcourt, expanding access to modern cargo processing across the country.