Nigeria’s export potential to the United Kingdom is set for significant growth as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) highlighted rising trade volumes and new market opportunities within the aviation sector.

Speaking at a forum hosted by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, represented by Lekan Thomas, the Director of Cargo Development and Services, highlighted encouraging trade figures and policy support driving the aviation corridor.

According to him, Nigeria-UK trade reached £8.1 billion, recording an 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase, while UK imports from Nigeria stood at £2.4 billion. He noted that even a modest 1–5 per cent increase in exports could generate an additional $25–125 million in revenue.

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Thomas also pointed to the United Kingdom’s decision to grant duty-free or reduced tariffs on over 3,000 Nigerian products as a major opportunity for exporters, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and emerging sectors.

He further emphasised strong government backing for aviation reforms, citing recent engagements led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, which have helped restore investor confidence and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

FAAN, he said, is already advancing infrastructure upgrades, digital cargo systems, and incentives to attract more cargo airlines, positioning Nigeria to capture a larger share of the global air freight market.

“With the right systems in place, Nigeria is well-positioned to scale exports, deepen trade with the UK, and become a leading air cargo hub in Africa,” Thomas said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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