The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has scaled back its planned increase in cargo port charges at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, agreeing to a revised rate of N15 per kilogram instead of the initially proposed N20 per kilogram.
The adjustment was reached after constructive engagements between FAAN and customs-licensed cargo agents operating at MMIA, as announced in a statement by Henry Agbebire, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Tuesday.
The compromise follows FAAN’s earlier announcement on January 29, 2026, of an upward review of cargo tariffs effective February 2, 2026 the first major adjustment in nearly two decades. The original proposal raised port charges from the longstanding N7 per kilogram to N20 per kilogram, citing stabilized operations, closure of revenue leakages, inflation (cumulatively around 287% since the last review), foreign exchange pressures, and the need to fund cargo infrastructure improvements.
Other related tariffs under the initial plan included increases in air cargo handling fees (from N5 to N15/kg) and charges for transshipments, couriers, and perishables (from N20 to N40/kg), applicable to imports, exports, transshipments, and cargo vehicle surcharges.
Cargo agents had expressed concerns over the scale of the hike and called for dialogue, warning of potential impacts on operational costs, freight rates, and competitiveness in air cargo logistics.
The revised N15/kg port charge represents a 114.29% increase from the existing N7/kg but a significant concession from the N20/kg proposal. FAAN described the new rate as a balanced outcome of stakeholder deliberations held on February 9, 2026, at the MMIA Terminal 2 conference room.
The decision aims to address FAAN’s revenue sustainability needs while mitigating immediate burdens on cargo operators and importers/exporters amid Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.
As reported by TheCable, the agreement is expected to facilitate smoother implementation of the updated tariffs, with FAAN emphasizing ongoing efforts to enhance airport services and infrastructure. Further details on the full rollout and any additional adjustments are anticipated as the authority continues engagements with industry stakeholders.
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