Weak, Outdated Systems Crippling Nigeria’s Air Cargo Growth – Aviation Expert

Nigeria’s air cargo sector risks continued inefficiency and loss of competitiveness unless outdated systems are urgently replaced with modern technology, the Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Cargo Limited, Mr Seyi Adewale, has warned.

Speaking at the 5th CHINET Aviation Cargo Conference in Lagos, in a paper titled “Harnessing Technological Advances to Improve Air Cargo in Nigeria”, Adewale said ground handling agents (GHAs) are overwhelmed by excessive staffing because they rely on fragmented and inappropriate platforms.

He stressed that the entire value chain—including airlines, GHAs, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)—must urgently adopt advanced systems for real-time data sharing.
Without such upgrades, Adewale warned, the country will struggle to achieve efficiency in air cargo operations. He noted that many GHAs focus solely on the Freight Forwarding Message (FFM), while neglecting other vital messages, such as Notification of Delay (NFD), Ready for Carriage (RCF), and Discrepancy Information (DI).

“GHAs are overwhelmed with needless high staff numbers just to manage inefficiencies and the need to engage permanent staff to handle each airline’s unique system,” Adewale said.

“The reality is that current solutions are either inappropriate or poorly framed. These inefficiencies could be solved with proper Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that supports air cargo efficiency.”

He called for the deployment of more comprehensive cargo management platforms to drive efficiency, cut costs, and ensure reliable nationwide operations.

He also urged that Tally Clerks be equipped with official tablets to directly access and transmit information, eliminating bottlenecks caused by supervisors and delays in releasing data.
“This step will eliminate delays, improve planning, and ensure better handling of time- and temperature-sensitive cargo. Such reforms are necessary for sustainable air cargo efficiency,” he stressed.

Adewale highlighted major obstacles slowing down cargo efficiency in Nigeria, including airlines operating on different systems that complicate GHA processes, communication gaps with Customs that cause delays, and extra costs passed on to consignees through demurrage.

He added that airlines spend heavily to fill technology gaps with manpower, yet Customs clearance remains slow, often worsened by late resumption of officers. The persistent issue of poor electricity supply, he said, further compounds the challenge, causing frequent system downtimes.

The Mainstream boss commended the Nigeria Customs Service for introducing the B’Odogwu platform, which allows airlines to generate rotation numbers instantly without relying on agents.

However, he cautioned that the platform faces teething challenges. “Customs must not only train staff on the use of B’Odogwu but also conduct regular competence tests. Energy infrastructure issues must also be resolved so the platform does not appear worse than the solutions it replaced,” he said.
For stronger and lasting efficiency, Adewale called for continuous training of Customs officers on B’Odogwu, supported by periodic competence tests, while stressing the need for stable electricity and backups. He urged GHAs to deploy platforms that transmit all required messages and advised airlines to permit system upgrades without penalties.

He concluded that Nigeria’s air cargo industry cannot achieve competitiveness without embracing advanced technology. “Technology adoption is the only path to boosting transparency, reducing costs, and achieving lasting air cargo efficiency in Nigeria,” Adewale declared.