The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) commissioned an expanded cargo terminal at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday, 30 January 2021, doubling the facility's cold-storage capacity for perishable agricultural exports from Nigeria's northern states.
FAAN said the upgraded terminal was designed to handle onions, tomatoes, ginger, and other perishable produce that had previously suffered high spoilage rates due to inadequate cold-chain infrastructure at the airport. The facility includes new refrigerated holding bays and a dedicated inspection area for phytosanitary clearance.
Boosting Non-Oil Exports
Aviation minister Hadi Sirika said the expansion was part of a broader federal push to grow non-oil exports through air cargo, noting that Kano's proximity to major agricultural production zones made it a natural hub for perishable goods bound for Europe and the Middle East.
Exporters at the commissioning ceremony welcomed the upgrade but called for complementary investment in access roads and power supply to the cargo village, saying infrastructure gaps outside the airport perimeter continued to limit the terminal's full potential.
