Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has identified air cargo as a major opportunity for diversifying Nigeria’s aviation revenue streams.
The company said rising e-commerce activities were creating new demand for efficient cargo operations across the country.
The Managing Director of SAHCO, Mrs Adenike Aboderin, stated this on Thursday at the Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE 2026) in Lagos.
Aboderin, represented by SAHCO’s Executive Director of Business Development, Mr Babatunde Afolabi, presented a paper titled, ‘Air Cargo Logistics and E-commerce Supply Chain in Nigeria.’
She urged stakeholders to transform fragmented trade into a fast, transparent and digitally driven cargo ecosystem.
She said the industry’s challenge was no longer demand availability but converting commercial activities into efficient cargo operations.
Aboderin noted that Nigeria recorded 6.1 billion dollars in non-oil exports in 2025, adding that the country’s online population reached 109 million by the end of the year.
She noted that Nigeria’s e-commerce market was projected to reach 18.7 billion dollars by 2031.
She said African airline cargo demand was expected to expand by 6.0 per cent in 2025, adding, “These indicators point to significant opportunities for the aviation industry.”
She explained that cargo operations were shifting from traditional bulk imports to time-sensitive, high-value shipments.
She said the shift was driven by e-commerce, small businesses, pharmaceuticals and perishable goods.
Aboderin stressed that logistics providers offering cargo visibility and regulatory compliance would benefit from the market.
She said cold-chain integrity and predictable turnaround times would also determine industry competitiveness.
The SAHCO managing director called for integration of airport infrastructure, customs processes and ground handling operations.
She said technology platforms and export promotion should form part of a coordinated cargo operating system.
“This will help maximise the benefits of the growing cargo market,” Aboderin added.
In spite of the potential, she identified structural challenges limiting Nigeria’s cargo ecosystem efficiency.
She said small businesses still relied on fragmented consignments, resulting in high logistics costs.
Aboderin identified paper documentation and manual customs procedures as causes of cargo processing delays.
She also highlighted inadequate cold-chain facilities for pharmaceuticals and agricultural exports.
Other challenges included foreign exchange volatility, aviation fuel prices, airport charges and storage costs.
She noted that limited real-time cargo tracking affected transparency across the logistics chain.
Aboderin said informal export channels reduced revenue, compliance and data visibility, calling for phased reforms combining operational improvements with digital transformation.
She urged stronger coordination among airports, customs authorities, ground handlers and exporters.
Aboderin said improved infrastructure and digital cargo processing would position Nigeria for growth.
Also speaking, Mr Nosa Erunse, Chief Operating Officer of Red Star Express, called for an integrated logistics system.
Erunse highlighted limited cargo terminals, cold-chain infrastructure and warehouses as barriers to air cargo growth.
He also cited weak information systems, limited technology and poor last-mile delivery support.
Aviation consultant, Mr Chris Aligbe, urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to assess state capacities.
Aligbe said overdependence on Lagos airport increased cargo costs for exporters nationwide.
He explained that exporters often transported goods to Lagos before onward shipment abroad. He advised FAAN to organise cargo-focused conferences across other states.
The experts said rejected agro exports were mainly linked to production challenges.
They stressed that shipping processes were not the primary cause of export rejections.
They called for increased infrastructure investment to unlock Nigeria’s cargo potential and economic growth.
