Tension is mounting in Nigeria’s cargo and freight forwarding sector following allegations that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) issued an eviction notice to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in retaliation for its opposition to a proposed 200 per cent increase in airport operational charges.
The Chief Executive Officer of Widescope International Logistics Limited, Dr. Segun Musa, alleged that FAAN’s decision to enforce an immediate quit notice against NAGAFF is directly linked to the association’s resistance to the proposed tariff hike.
In a letter dated January 2026, FAAN directed NAGAFF to vacate its secretariat at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Ikeja. The authority cited an earlier quit notice issued on April 10, 2025 (Ref: FAAN/MMA/RGM/HCT.A/13/Vol. 9), which it said the association failed to honour.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Musa described the sudden enforcement of the eviction notice as punitive. He argued that the move followed NAGAFF’s vocal rejection of FAAN’s plan to significantly increase airport charges, warning that a 200 per cent hike would further burden freight forwarders already operating under harsh economic conditions.
“FAAN’s decision to demolish the NAGAFF secretariat is clearly tied to the association’s refusal to accept an unreasonable 200 per cent increase in charges,” Musa said. “Operators are struggling, and policies like this could cripple the industry further.”
The situation has heightened anxiety among stakeholders in the cargo, logistics and freight forwarding sector, with many interpreting FAAN’s action as evidence of growing tension between regulators and operators at a time when businesses are calling for policy stability and cost relief.
Meanwhile, the Quadripartite Association—comprising the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), NAGAFF, the Association of Progressive Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (APFFLON) and the National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC)—has jointly rejected FAAN’s recent actions and opposed the proposed increase in cargo handling charges.
In a joint statement dated January 30, 2026, the four associations objected to FAAN’s plan to raise cargo handling charges from N7.00 per kilogram to N20.00 per kilogram, a measure scheduled to take effect on February 2, 2026.
While acknowledging the need for periodic tariff reviews to sustain aviation operations, the associations insisted that any adjustment must result from transparent consultations and mutual agreement with stakeholders. They also disclosed that a request for a meeting with FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Services on January 30, 2026, was declined, with notification reportedly conveyed via telephone.
The statement, jointly signed by Temitope Akindele (Chairman, ANLCA), Udo Udoka (Chairman, NAGAFF), Quadri Olorunfunmi (Chairman, APFFLON) and Abu Abdul (Chairman, NAFFAC), urged members to remain calm while reaffirming their commitment to constructive engagement. The groups appealed to FAAN to suspend what they described as a “hurried decision” pending broader consultations.
As the standoff continues, industry observers say FAAN’s next steps and NAGAFF’s response will be critical in shaping the future of cargo operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport. With FAAN insisting on immediate implementation and freight forwarders calling for dialogue, the coming weeks are expected to be decisive for the sector.



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