Operations at airports controlled by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria across the country may be disrupted on Monday as cargo agents plan a protest against the authority’s planned implementation of a new cargo tariff regime.
Findings by The PUNCH indicate that FAAN may commence the enforcement of the tariff increase, effective February 2, 2026. This development has triggered tension, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, where a large volume of the country’s air cargo is processed.
Top FAAN officials confirmed that all arrangements had been concluded for the commencement of the new tariff system, despite growing opposition from cargo agents and other industry operators.
The PUNCH gathered that FAAN previously charged N7 per kilogram but will now begin to charge N25 per kilogram. Some agents said they may resort to protest if FAAN remains adamant with its decision.
The increase comes at a time when airline operators and others have repeatedly complained about what they describe as excessive charges and overlapping levies within the sector, warning that the trend could force some operators out of business.
Cargo agents also said the increases may further reduce cargo traffic in the country, as Nigeria is currently experiencing significant declines in cargo loads.
However, a senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the Authority was ready to proceed.
“All necessary structures have been put in place. The tariff adjustment will commence on Monday as approved,” the official said.
Cargo agents described the decision as ill-timed and insensitive, warning that it could cripple already struggling businesses and further increase the cost of goods, thereby affecting the economy.
Explaining the rationale behind the tariff hike, a FAAN official said the adjustment followed major internal reforms that have significantly improved cargo operations and revenue collection.
According to the source, the increase was initially scheduled for 2025 but was deliberately postponed to allow time to stabilise operations and plug revenue leakages.
“With the operational corrections now firmly in place, the Authority is confident that the tariff adjustment will translate directly into improved revenue performance,” the official said.
He added that implementing the tariff earlier would have yielded little benefit, as “a significant portion of earnings would have continued to be lost through operational gaps. Even though cargo throughput declined in 2025 compared to 2024, FAAN recorded higher revenue and significantly improved collection efficiency during the same period,” the report noted.
He further said the Authority is also working with airlines, ground handlers, licensed customs agents, and the Nigeria Customs Service to address revenue losses linked to frequent-flyer baggage protocols at passenger terminals.
According to him, tighter access-control measures at airport terminals are already yielding positive results, while infrastructure upgrades are ongoing at the General Aviation Terminal in Lagos and in Abuja.
In addition, the official said FAAN has intensified engagement with regulators such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria to ensure compliance with international best practices.
Meanwhile, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria has rejected the planned tariff hike, warning that the policy could destabilise the air cargo sector and worsen the cost of doing business in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the group said it was “deeply concerned” about FAAN’s decision to raise cargo charges from N7 to N25 per kilogram. The association president, Frank Ogunojemite, said the increment was coming despite the subvention and other revenue streams already available to the Authority.
“This increase comes against the advice and objections of key industry stakeholders and will significantly escalate the cost of air cargo operations, discourage exports, increase import costs, and ultimately place additional pressure on Nigerian businesses and consumers,” he added.
He further questioned the justification for what he described as a steep and poorly timed adjustment, especially in the absence of visible improvements in infrastructure and service delivery at the airports.
“We question the rationale behind this sharp increment, particularly when there have been no corresponding upgrades in cargo infrastructure or service quality, and at a time when government policy is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
“We urge FAAN and the Federal Government to immediately reconsider this policy in the interest of trade facilitation, economic stability, and national competitiveness,” Ogunojemite appealed.
Also reacting, the Deputy President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Segun Musa, said the group would pursue “all lawful means” to press its demands on FAAN, warning that the tariff hike would further weaken an already fragile cargo market.
Musa said, “We will be meeting with them tomorrow, and part of what we will be discussing is to have a synergy that will not have a negative effect on the economy. If we continue to increase, it will affect the economy. Honestly, it is not just about us but the economy. Already, there is a decline in cargo loads, and this is why we are appealing to them to quickly reconsider their position.”
He also alleged intimidation by the Authority, claiming that the association had been threatened with the demolition of its secretariat over its opposition to the proposed charges.
“As a matter of fact, they have sent us a threat already that they are coming to demolish our secretariat. I know it is because we said no to this planned tariff. We will use all legal means to persuade them. I won’t talk about protest now, but we will negotiate and consult to ensure that they don’t come out of that meeting with bitterness that will make them invade our secretariat,” he added.
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