‘How poor airport infrastructure may slow trade competitiveness’

Nigeria’s inadequate airport infrastructure, weak cargo-handling facilities and poor connectivity between transport systems could hinder the country’s trade competitiveness and economic growth, former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr Richard Aisuebeogun, has said.

Aisuebeogun, in an interview with The Guardian in Lagos, warned that unless urgent investments were directed towards operational efficiency, safety and sustainable maintenance, the country may not achieve its goal.

Aisuebeogun, who identified inadequate airport infrastructure as one of the major challenges confronting the nation’s transportation sector, said airport development should go beyond the construction of terminals and other physical structures to address critical operational requirements.

According to him, investments in runways, baggage-handling systems, navigation equipment, security installations, cargo facilities, fire and rescue services, reliable power supply and digital infrastructure were essential to improving airport performance.

He emphasised that infrastructure deficiencies contributed to congestion, flight delays, higher operating costs, and a poor passenger experience, while inadequate cargo-handling capacity and inefficient ground operations weakened Nigerian exporters’ ability to compete effectively in international markets.

Aisuebeogun insisted that airport development should be measured by operational performance, safety standards, cargo throughput, passenger demand, connectivity, and financial sustainability, rather than by the physical scale of construction projects.

He advocated prioritising safety-critical assets, modern navigation and communication systems, dependable electricity, efficient passenger-processing facilities, temperature-controlled cargo infrastructure and functional access roads.

He also called for transparent cost-benefit assessments and credible maintenance plans before the commencement of major airport projects to ensure that investments deliver measurable economic benefits.

Aisuebeogun expressed that Nigeria’s transportation challenge was not only about building more infrastructure, but also about establishing a system that was reliable, affordable, safe, integrated, financially sustainable, and capable of withstanding external economic shocks.

He said: “Transportation remains central to trade facilitation, with airports, seaports, railways, highways, inland dry ports and pipelines playing complementary roles in reducing logistics costs and improving national competitiveness.

“The absence of effective integration among these transport systems continues to increase the cost and time required to move passengers and goods across the country.

“The aviation sector occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s economic development because of its capacity to connect businesses to international markets, facilitate the movement of time-sensitive cargo, support tourism and attract investment.”

However, he said realising these benefits would require financially sustainable airlines, efficient airport infrastructure, streamlined cargo procedures, credible regulation, appropriate financing and sustained investment in technical manpower.

He also identified aviation fuel supply and pricing as major concerns, noting that disruptions in energy supply could trigger flight delays and cancellations, increased airfares, reduced connectivity and economic losses.

The former FAAN MD explained that geopolitical conflicts and instability in major energy-producing regions could increase the cost of fuel, insurance, shipping and imported technical equipment, with serious implications for transport operators.

He noted that the effects extended beyond aviation to road haulage, public transportation, railway operations and maritime logistics, where rising energy costs ultimately translated into higher passenger fares and freight charges.

The industry expert further warned that foreign exchange volatility exposed airlines and other transport operators to higher aircraft leasing, maintenance, insurance, and equipment replacement costs, potentially resulting in reduced investment, delayed fleet renewal, higher fares, and lower service frequency.

On other modes of transportation, Aisuebeogun identified deteriorating roads, inadequate drainage, congestion, poorly maintained bridges and insufficient rural access roads as major obstacles to national productivity.

He said poor road conditions increased vehicle maintenance costs, fuel consumption, travel time and accident risks, while raising the cost of transporting agricultural produce and manufactured goods.

He further canvassed for improved railway network coverage, maintenance, security and freight capacity, stressing that rail investment should be guided by demonstrated passenger and cargo demand.

According to him, economically important railway corridors should be rehabilitated, while rail terminals should be connected to seaports, warehouses, industrial clusters and major commercial centres.

On maritime transportation, he advocated improved navigability and safety of commercially viable inland waterways, modern cargo-handling facilities and stronger connections between ports and road and rail networks.

Aisuebeogun also identified climate change and environmental pressures as emerging threats to transport infrastructure, warning that flooding, extreme rainfall, excessive heat and coastal erosion could damage roads, bridges, railway tracks, ports and airport facilities.

He stressed the need for stronger supply chain risk management, strategic inventory planning, diversified sourcing arrangements, and domestic technical capabilities to reduce Nigeria’s exposure to international disruptions.

The aviation expert further urged transport agencies and operators to embrace digital transformation through electronic ticketing, automated cargo processing, electronic payments, tracking systems, data analytics and integrated logistics platforms.

He, however, cautioned that digital investments must be accompanied by workforce training, cybersecurity safeguards, data protection and clear operational standards.

As part of measures to strengthen the sector, Aisuebeogun advocated establishing a National Transport Resilience Framework to identify critical transport corridors, facilities, and services whose disruption could have serious consequences for food distribution, trade, national security, and essential mobility.

He said the framework should incorporate contingency plans for fuel shortages, major infrastructure failures, extreme weather, supply chain interruptions, and cyber incidents, alongside clear maintenance and emergency response arrangements.

He also called for a multimodal investment strategy that would prioritise projects based on documented demand, economic benefits, safety, geographic inclusion, climate resilience, implementation readiness and lifecycle costs.

On aviation and regional integration, he said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presented opportunities to expand intra-African trade, but stressed that the benefits would depend on improved air connectivity, efficient border procedures, market access, and lower logistics costs.