Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Logistics expert and CEO of Widescope International Logistics Limited, Dr. Segun Musa, has alleged that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) decision to issue an immediate quit notice to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) is connected to the association’s resistance to a proposed 200 percent hike in airport operational charges.
FAAN had, in a letter dated January 2026, ordered NAGAFF to vacate its secretariat at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Ikeja. The directive referenced an earlier quit notice issued on April 10, 2025 (Ref: FAAN/MMA/RGM/HCT.A/13/Vol. 9), which FAAN said the association failed to comply with.
But speaking on the development, Dr. Musa said the sudden enforcement move is not unconnected to NAGAFF’s vocal opposition to the steep increment being proposed by FAAN. According to him, freight forwarders had rejected the 200 percent rise, warning that such an increase would worsen the already harsh economic climate confronting operators across the sector.
He noted that NAGAFF’s stance did not sit well with some airport authorities, who, he claimed, may now be using the quit notice as a form of retaliation.
“FAAN’s decision to demolish the NAGAFF secretariat is clearly tied to the association’s refusal to accept an unreasonable 200 percent increase in charges. Operators are struggling, and we cannot allow such policies to cripple the industry further,” Dr. Musa stated.
The situation has triggered anxiety among stakeholders within the cargo, logistics, and freight forwarding ecosystem. Many believe the move signals deeper tensions between regulators and operators, especially at a time when businesses are calling for relief and policy stability.
The Quadripartite Association comprising ANLCA, NAGAFF, APFFLON, and NAFFAC has jointly rejected the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) recent actions and raised objections to a proposed increase in port charges.
In a response dated January 30, 2026, the four associations faulted FAAN’s plan to raise port charges from N7.00 per kilogram to N20.00 per kilogram, a change scheduled to take effect on February 2, 2026.
While acknowledging that periodic tariff reviews are necessary to sustain aviation operations, the associations insisted that such adjustments must emerge from transparent consultations and mutual agreement with all relevant stakeholders.
They disclosed that they had requested a meeting with FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Services on January 30, 2026, but the engagement was turned down through a telephone notification.
The groups urged their members to remain calm, stating that they remain committed to constructive engagement with FAAN. They appealed to the Authority to suspend what they described as a “hurried decision” pending a broader consultation process.
Expressing confidence that dialogue will prevail, the associations stressed the need for an amicable resolution in the interest of smooth cargo operations.
The statement was jointly signed by Temitope Akindele, Chairman, ANLCA; Udo Udoka, Chairman, NAGAFF; Quadri Olorunfunmi, Chairman, APFFLON; and Abu Adbul, Chairman, NAFFAC.
As the controversy unfolds, industry observers are closely monitoring FAAN’s next steps and NAGAFF’s planned response to what Dr. Musa describes as a punitive measure.
The ongoing standoff underscores rising tensions between FAAN and freight forwarders over space management and escalating operational costs at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
With FAAN insisting on immediate implementation and the associations pushing for stakeholder dialogue, the coming weeks may be crucial for determining the direction of cargo operations at MMA.