Aviation
By Itohan Abara-Laserian, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
FOR decades, the narrative in Nigeria’s cargo haulage sector has been: if you want it cheap, send it by road; if you are desperate, send it by air.
However, analysts believe that air cargo haulage, commercial transport of goods by aircraft, comes first in cheap, smart, safe, reliable, on-time and professional handling of cargo.
They regard air cargo haulage as a ‘hidden economy’ where speed and safety undercut the traditional road networks.
They are convinced that sending cargo by aircraft is less expensive than by road, saying that a parcel weighing one to two kilogrammes attracts about ₦1,000 for a 24-hour waybill via air, whereas the same attracts up to ₦2,500 by road from same origin to same destination.
Nigeria’s e-commerce sector is evolving, with a growth projection of $33 billion in 2026, up from $7.43 billion in 2025.
For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), sending packages at affordable prices and timely is critical to business growth.
Also, as road networks face challenges ranging from security concerns to maintenance delays, the “predictability” of air cargo seems to be becoming its greatest asset.
Mr Remi Jibodu, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Cargo Services at Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of Murtala Muhammad Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), is convinced that the narrative in air cargo haulage is changing.
For him, the cost gap between the highway and the sky has narrowed to the point of ‘inversion’.
According to Jibodu, air cargo to many regular routes from Lagos is now handled for as little as ₦1,000 per package.
“The narrative that air freight is prohibitively expensive is a myth we are actively dismantling.
“While passenger flow has been a primary focus, the cargo sector at MMA2 is also witnessing a quiet revolution.
“Air cargo is often more affordable than sending cargo by road,” he says.
On cold storage facility at MMA2 Terminal and its impact on perishable cargo, Jibodu says it is another progressive business reshaping air cargo haulage.
According to him, the value chain development is not just about price but also about infrastructure.
He is convinced that the successful use of MMA2’s state-of-the-art cold storage facilities has opened new doors for movement of perishables.
“From fresh organic produce to life-saving pharmaceuticals, the ability to store and ship temperature-sensitive goods has created a reliable cold chain.”
Some cargo agents have also dismantled the myth that air cargo dispatch is only for the elite, the rich and the desperate.
A cargo agent, Mr Pascal Anayo, emphasises that air cargo dispatch is an open, affordable highway for anyone desiring to transport goods faster, safer, and even cheaper.
Anayo argues that the cost of road transport of cargo can fluctuate due to fuel scarcity or seasonal demands while air cargo transport rates are generally more stable and transparent.
Another cargo agent, Mr Ayo Adebisi, notes that air cargo haulage does not require extra security or face the risk of pilferage.
Adebisi adds that air cargo transport does not just offer speed but also offers a temperature-controlled journey.
“This shifts the conversation from: “How much does it cost to ship to how much value is preserved upon arrival?” he argues.
Mrs Princess Orji, an online Nigerian fabrics (Ankara) ready-to-wear vendor, is delighted that air cargo, particularly at MMA2, is in a controlled environment from drop-off to pick-up.
Orji says she opted for air waybills because they are less ‘chaotic’.
She claims that other forms of logistics often involve multiple handlers, loading/unloading points, and informal levies.
”Sky is no longer a restricted zone for the elite,” an observer, Gladys Elemuo, says.
Analysts strongly believe that improvements in Nigeria’s air cargo sector has provided opportunities for SMEs to key into the vast e-commerce market. (NANFeature)
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Tags: Air Cargo