The Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO), Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to operational efficiency, safety enhancement, and improved passenger experience following a high-level meeting with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos.

Aboderin, alongside members of SAHCO’s executive management team, paid a courtesy visit to BASL as part of efforts to deepen institutional collaboration and strengthen operational synergy within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The engagement brought together senior officials of both organisations to discuss key industry issues including airport safety management, operational efficiency, infrastructure expansion, technological innovation, baggage handling, passenger facilitation, and stakeholder collaboration.

Welcoming the delegation, the Acting Chief Operating Officer and Head of Aeronautical and Cargo Services at BASL, Mr. Remi Jibodu, stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among aviation stakeholders in achieving seamless airport operations and improved customer satisfaction.

“At MMA2, our focus remains on creating an efficient, safe, and passenger-friendly airport environment. Achieving this requires strong collaboration among all operators within the aviation value chain,” Jibodu said.

He noted that BASL had continued to strengthen operational efficiency through enhanced monitoring systems, real-time performance reporting, stakeholder accountability mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing congestion, improving turnaround time, and ensuring seamless passenger processing.

Jibodu also commended SAHCO’s commitment to operational improvement and safety enhancement, describing stakeholder engagements as critical to improving service delivery across the aviation sector.

In her remarks, Aboderin congratulated BASL on the recent settlement announcement made by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, expressing optimism that the development would open new opportunities for stronger collaboration and long-term industry growth.

“We believe this development will further strengthen collaboration and create greater opportunities for operational efficiency and long-term growth within the aviation industry. As a key partner within the aviation ecosystem, we also look forward to being appropriately positioned for the upcoming expansion,” she stated.

Aboderin said the visit was aimed at aligning operational objectives and building stronger partnerships capable of driving sustainable growth across the aviation ecosystem.

“The aviation industry operates as an interconnected system, and collaboration among stakeholders is critical to achieving operational excellence, safety, efficiency, and improved passenger experience,” she added.

The SAHCO Managing Director disclosed that the company was currently investing heavily in modern Ground Support Equipment (GSE), staff training, digital solutions, and customer service enhancement initiatives to meet evolving airline and industry expectations.

According to her, SAHCO is also intensifying operational discipline, safety culture, and soft skills development among personnel while introducing improved monitoring systems to reduce operational risks and enhance airside efficiency.

Speaking on ongoing expansion discussions within the sector, Aboderin said the planned introduction of a slot management system would improve turnaround time, operational planning, equipment deployment, and overall coordination as passenger traffic continues to rise.

The meeting also focused on apron safety, operational discipline, fatigue management, behavioural compliance among airside personnel, and the need to sustain efficient turnaround times to support operational reliability and passenger convenience.

Both organisations agreed on the need for continuous training, stronger safety oversight, counselling programmes, and stricter monitoring systems to reduce operational incidents within the airport environment.

They also explored opportunities for leveraging technology and shared operational platforms to improve communication, coordination, and data visibility among airlines, airport operators, and ground handling companies.

The meeting ended with renewed commitments from both SAHCO and BASL to sustain collaboration towards improving safety standards, infrastructure development, operational efficiency, and service delivery across Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to redefine its aviation future through the ongoing transformation of Murtala Muhammed International Airport into a modern smart airport designed to meet global standards in safety, efficiency and passenger experience.

The large-scale remodelling of the country’s busiest international gateway represents the most extensive overhaul of the facility in nearly five decades and is expected to reposition Nigeria more competitively within Africa’s aviation sector.

The project includes the installation of biometric processing systems, electronic gates, advanced baggage handling technology, upgraded screening systems, expanded access roads and modern surveillance infrastructure.

According to FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the transformation reflects a broader national strategy to modernise the aviation ecosystem in line with international best practices and growing global demand for digitally enabled airports.

“What is happening at MMIA goes far beyond renovation. It is a national statement. It is Nigeria announcing to the world that its aviation future will no longer be defined by ageing infrastructure, but by smart systems, operational efficiency, safety, technology and a renewed passenger experience,” Agbebire stated.

The authority explained that despite the scale of reconstruction, airport operations have continued through temporary operational arrangements carefully designed to minimise disruptions for passengers and airlines.

Agbebire added that the remodelling would significantly improve passenger flow, operational turnaround time, passenger comfort and airport security coordination upon completion.

The project is also expected to strengthen tourism, trade, cargo movement, conference tourism and foreign direct investment through improved aviation infrastructure and operational reliability.

“A modern airport does more than process passengers. It influences tourism, trade, cargo movement, foreign direct investment, airline route expansion and regional integration,” Agbebire noted.

Officials further stressed that the ongoing reforms under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and FAAN management are aimed at improving infrastructure, operational reliability and service delivery across Nigeria’s airports.

Industry stakeholders expressed confidence that the upgraded MMIA would enhance Nigeria’s image as a leading aviation and business destination while improving travel experience for millions of passengers annually.

As construction advances toward completion, aviation authorities believe the transformed MMIA will emerge as a flagship gateway reflecting innovation, resilience, efficiency and global relevance.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified efforts to reposition the country’s air cargo sector with a strategic engagement involving cargo agents and freight forwarders at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The meeting, organised by FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS), focused on plans for the proposed Cargo Village and the operational framework expected to drive a more efficient and globally competitive cargo system in Nigeria.

Held on May 12, 2026, the session brought together recognised agents’ associations operating across the cargo value chain under the theme: “Strategic Engagement Session on Cargo Village Development and Operational Framework.”

Representing the Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr. Lekan Thomas, the General Manager, Cargo, Mrs. Alao Mamman, said stronger collaboration among stakeholders remained critical to the successful delivery of the Cargo Village project.

According to her, the initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency, simplify cargo handling procedures, and align airport cargo operations with international best practices and global standards.

Also speaking during the engagement, the General Manager, Cargo Partnerships and Registration, Engr. Jay Etim, outlined major components of the project, including the development of the Aviacargo Village, creation of an integrated cargo logistics hub, and co-location of cargo stakeholders within a coordinated operational environment.

He added that the framework would also strengthen operational standards, improve access control systems, and ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements while reinforcing the role of licensed cargo agents in the evolving aviation logistics ecosystem.

Stakeholders at the meeting were given the opportunity to contribute recommendations and operational insights aimed at ensuring the project reflects industry realities and promotes inclusiveness across the cargo sector.

FAAN said the engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to create a more structured, secure, and efficient cargo environment capable of supporting trade growth and boosting Nigeria’s aviation logistics capacity.