FAAN Quit Notice to NAGAFF Sparks Fresh Tension Over Proposed Tariff Hike

The Chief Executive Officer 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 opposition to a proposed 200 per cent increase in airport operational charges.

FAAN, in a letter dated January 2026, directed NAGAFF to vacate its secretariat located at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Ikeja. 

The authority referenced 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 comply with.

Reacting to the development, Dr. Musa described the sudden enforcement of the quit notice as punitive, alleging that it followed NAGAFF’s vocal resistance to FAAN’s proposed tariff increase. He noted that freight forwarders had rejected the planned hike, warning that a 200 per cent rise would further strain operators already grappling with a difficult economic environment.

According to him, NAGAFF’s stance may have displeased certain airport authorities, who he claimed are now using the eviction notice as a form of retaliation.

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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 development has heightened anxiety among stakeholders in the cargo, logistics and freight forwarding sector, with many interpreting the move as evidence of growing tension between regulators and operators at a time when businesses are seeking 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 objected to the proposed increase in cargo handling charges.

In a statement dated

 January 30, 2026, the four associations opposed FAAN’s plan to raise port charges from N7.00 per kilogram to N20.00 per kilogram, scheduled to take effect on February 2, 2026.

While acknowledging that periodic tariff reviews are necessary to sustain aviation operations, the associations stressed that any adjustment must be the outcome of transparent consultations and mutual agreement with stakeholders.

They disclosed that a request for a meeting with FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Services on January 30, 2026, was declined, with notice reportedly given via telephone.

The associations urged their members to remain calm, reaffirming their commitment to constructive engagement, and appealed to FAAN to suspend what they described as a “hurried decision” pending broader consultations.

The statement was jointly signed by Temitope Akindele (Chairman, ANLCA), Udo Udoka (Chairman, NAGAFF), Quadri Olorunfunmi (Chairman, APFFLON) and Abu Abdul (Chairman, NAFFAC).

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.