The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has projected rapid air export growth as Nigeria-United Kingdom bilateral trade hits £8.1 billion.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, made the projection at a forum hosted by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, according to a statement by the authority.
The statement was issued on Thursday in Lagos.
Kuku was represented at the occasion by the FAAN Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr Lekan Thomas.
According to her, Nigeria-United Kingdom bilateral trade recorded 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase, while United Kingdom’s imports from Nigeria stood at £2.4 billion.
Kuku said that this showed rise in market opportunities within the aviation sector.
She said that one per cent to five per cent increase in exports could generate additional $25 million to $125 million in revenue.
Kuku said that the United Kingdom’s decision to grant duty-free or reduced tariffs on over 3,000 Nigerian products was a major opportunity for exporters, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and emerging sectors.
She noted that the United Kingdom was Nigeria’s largest source of capital inflows, with $2.94 billion recorded in the third quarter of 2025 alone.
According to her, Nigeria should be ready to sell consistently, competitively and at large scales in the United Kingdom’s market.
She said that strong government backing for aviation reforms as being done by the President Bola Tinubu administration had helped to restore investor confidence and strengthen bilateral cooperations.
Kuku said that FAAN was advancing infrastructure upgrades, digital cargo systems and incentives to attract more cargo airlines and position Nigeria to capture a larger share of global air freight market.
“With the right systems in place, Nigeria is well-positioned to scale exports, deepen trade with the United Kingdom, and become a leading air cargo hub in Africa,” Kuku said.
