The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a major milestone with the resumption of direct revenue collection at the cargo terminals of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after a 15-year break.

For the first time in more than a decade, officials from FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS) are now positioned at the cargo release points of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouses. Their role is to supervise and ensure real-time collection of cargo charges.

FAAN stated that the development comes after months of stakeholder engagement. According to Mr. Lekan Thomas, Director of Cargo Development and Services, and Mr. Olatokubo Arewa, Airport Manager, the move is designed to improve accountability in the cargo sector.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, also held a high-level meeting with the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which gave the initiative strong backing.

FAAN is working closely with the PTC Customs Area Command, led by Comptroller T. Awe, to strengthen efficiency. “This initiative will plug revenue leakages and improve transparency in the air cargo value chain,” a FAAN representative explained.

Industry stakeholders believe this achievement will have a positive impact on aviation business growth, cargo handling operations, and customs revenue generation. The development also highlights FAAN’s focus on operational efficiency, inter-agency collaboration, and boosting ease of doing business in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Officials confirmed that the breakthrough at MMIA will serve as a model for replication in other airports nationwide. FAAN noted that this strategy is part of its vision to optimise air cargo operations, attract more logistics investment, and unlock new revenue streams within the Nigerian economy.

Afreximbank (Africa Export Import Bank) and the Lagos State Government have officially celebrated the Graduation and Closing Ceremony of the Afreximbank / Lagos State Export Readiness Training Programme.

The event marked a key milestone for 253 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, now equipped with knowledge and tools to expand into regional and global markets.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Afreximbank, including Mr. Alain-Thierry Mbongue Ebollo, Regional Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Ody Akhanoba, Director of SME Development, alongside Hon. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State. The partnership reaffirmed the shared goal of empowering African businesses with finance, skills, and market access.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mbongue called on the graduates to embrace opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He stated, “You are more than just graduates today. You are ambassadors of African enterprise. You are job creators. You are innovators. You are the industrial champions who will help move our continent from an exporter of raw materials to a producer of finished goods and world-class brands.”

He encouraged the SMEs to carry confidence and responsibility into their journey, saying, “Made in Africa must become a global mark of quality and pride.”

In addition to the graduation, Lagos State announced that 20 outstanding SMEs will be showcased at the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers. This initiative underscores the importance of connecting businesses to international trade opportunities.

Afreximbank emphasized its long-term support for entrepreneurs, noting that SMEs remain the backbone of Africa’s economic growth. “At Afreximbank, we stand firmly with SMEs, the engine of Africa’s future growth and will continue to provide the platforms, tools, and financing they need to thrive,” the bank stated.

Nigeria’s participation at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) has opened new opportunities for technology growth and investment.

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, met with senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tokyo to discuss major collaborations aimed at boosting Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

At the center of the talks was the $11.2 million Startup Hub in Abuja, which is expected to serve as a center of excellence for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Discussions also focused on JICA’s $20 million early-stage technology startup fund. According to officials, this fund will be matched with an additional $20 million by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in line with the Nigeria Startup Act. The combined $40 million funding is projected to help startups scale, create jobs, and contribute to economic transformation.

Speaking during the engagement, Abdullahi commended JICA for its consistent support. He said, “Nigeria is determined to strengthen partnerships that create opportunities for young people and drive sustainable innovation.”

In another session, the NITDA Director General met with Satoshi Shimoda, Senior Writer at Nikkei, where discussions highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant startup landscape, recent policy reforms such as the Nigeria Startup Act, and the strong potential of youth-driven innovation in the country.

Abdullahi also visited the Tokyo Innovation Base to explore knowledge transfer and collaboration opportunities between Nigerian and Japanese startups, signaling stronger ties in digital economy and technology development.