The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has brokered a peace deal with Customs Licensed Cargo Agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), ending a brief standoff over a proposed 257% tariff hike.
Following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, both parties agreed to a revised port charge of ₦15.00 per kilogram.
This figure represents a strategic compromise from FAAN’s initial proposal of ₦20.00/kg and a significant step up from the legacy rate of ₦7.00/kg that had remained unchanged since 2008.
The “18-Year Correction”: Why the Hike?
For the first time in nearly two decades, FAAN is adjusting its cargo pricing to reflect Nigeria’s current economic realities.
According to the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services, the ₦7.00 rate was no longer sustainable given a cumulative inflation rate exceeding 280% since 2008 and the massive depreciation of the Naira.
- Legacy Rate (2008–2026): ₦7.00/kg
- Initial 2026 Proposal: ₦20.00/kg
- Final Negotiated Rate: ₦15.00/kg (A 114% increase)
Strategic Implications: Safety and Efficiency (SEDI)
Mr. Lekan Thomas, the director of Cargo Development and Services, emphasized that the new revenue stream is earmarked for the SEDI (Safety, Efficiency, Development and Innovation) initiative. This modernization drive includes:
- Infrastructure: Total rehabilitation of cargo warehouses and the launch of new terminals.
- Security: A new biometric access system for all private stakeholders to secure terminal environments.
- Ease of Doing Business: Transitioning to digitalized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with ground handlers.
Data Snapshot: New Air Cargo Tariffs (MMIA)
| Service Type | Old Rate (Pre-Feb 2026) | New Negotiated Rate | % Change |
| Port Charges | ₦7.00 /kg | ₦15.00 /kg | +114% |
| Air Cargo Fees (Proposed) | ₦5.00 /kg | ₦15.00 /kg | +200% |
| Perishables/Courier | ₦20.00 /kg | ₦40.00 /kg | +100% |
A Win for Dialogue
The resolution signals a shift in the Tinubu administration’s approach to domestic revenue mobilization, relying on “policy orthodoxy” and stakeholder engagement rather than arbitrary imposition.
Henry Agbebire, director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, noted that the ₦15/kg rate balances the need for airport infrastructure development with the commercial survival of cargo agents.
