Shareholders of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company have urged the company to bid for the Federal Government’s planned airport concessions after the aviation handling giant posted a strong N65.82 billion revenue for the 2025 financial year.

The shareholders made the call at the company’s 45th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, where they commended NAHCO’s impressive financial growth, rising market value and expanding operations across the aviation sector.

President of the Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders, Dr. Farouk Umar, said the company now possesses the financial strength and operational capacity to manage airport terminals under the Federal Government’s proposed privatization programme.

According to him, NAHCO’s consistent growth and expanding international operations position it as a strong contender for airport terminal management under the planned Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

He noted that the company’s share price rose from about N80 to over N200 within one year, while new businesses secured from Fly Gabon, Saudi and Qatar operations would further strengthen revenue and profitability.

The Federal Government plans to privatise and concession five major international airport terminals through a Public-Private Partnership model to be supervised by the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Speaking at the AGM, Chairman of NAHCO Group, Dr. Seinde Oladapo Fadeni, said the company achieved significant growth across major performance indicators in 2025 through operational efficiency and disciplined cost management.

Fadeni said the board recommended a dividend payment of N6.25 alongside a bonus issue of one share for every seven shares held for the 2025 financial year.

He added that despite the impact of inflation and rising fuel prices on operations, the company remained committed to sustaining growth and expanding into new business opportunities.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun, said the company had continued to strengthen its position as West Africa’s largest aviation services and logistics group.

According to him, NAHCO recorded a 188 per cent year-on-year stock growth with market capitalization exceeding N200 billion.

Olumekun also disclosed that the company had launched a five-year strategic diversification plan aimed at increasing revenue beyond N300 billion through new ventures and collaborations.

He further revealed that NAHCO acquired over 271 new ground support equipment units within the last three years as part of efforts to modernize operations with fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly assets.

Financial figures presented at the AGM showed that the company’s revenue increased by 22.93 per cent from N53.54 billion in 2024 to N65.82 billion in 2025.

Profit before tax rose by 29.83 per cent from N18.70 billion to N24.28 billion, while profit after tax grew by 36.02 per cent from N12.87 billion in 2024 to N17.5 billion in 2025.

Earnings per share also increased by 36.14 per cent from N6.60 in 2024 to N8.99 in 2025.

Another shareholder, Mr. Patrick Ajudua, praised the company’s management for delivering improved returns and sustaining strong growth despite economic challenges.

During the meeting, shareholders approved the appointment of PwC as the company’s external auditor in place of EY, while Abdulhamid Aliyu, Reverend Victor Abimbola Olaiya and Mrs. Adebisi Oluwayemisi Bakare were re-elected as non-executive directors.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed support for indigenous airlines as Bayelsa State-owned Pioneer Airlines officially moves closer to commencing operations after securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received the airline’s management team in Abuja on Wednesday following the successful certification of the carrier.

The delegation was led by Pioneer Airlines Group Managing Director, Capt. Okobaundu Henry Ungbuku, who formally presented the airline’s AOC certificate to the Minister and thanked the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its agencies for supporting the certification process.

Capt. Ungbuku described the approval as a significant achievement for Bayelsa State and said the development demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening indigenous airlines.

He praised the Ministry for encouraging private and state-backed investment in the aviation sector and creating policies that support local operators.

During the meeting, the Pioneer Airlines boss also introduced members of the airline’s management team responsible for operations, commercial services, safety, engineering, business development, and human resources.

Speaking during the visit, Keyamo welcomed the airline’s entry into the market and said the growing involvement of state governments in aviation would help expand Nigeria’s domestic and regional air transport network.

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government was developing a Nigerian Leasing Company to support local airlines with aircraft acquisition and reduce operational difficulties faced by indigenous carriers.

He explained that Pioneer Airlines could become one of the beneficiaries of the initiative when fully operational.

Keyamo further stressed that Nigeria has a large aviation market capable of supporting more local carriers, especially on regional routes currently dominated by foreign airlines.

According to him, stronger indigenous participation in the sector would improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The visit concluded with renewed commitments between the Ministry and Pioneer Airlines to work together towards expanding air transport opportunities and improving regional connectivity across the country.

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.