The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Plateau State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and expand the Yakubu Gowon Airport to become a hub for agricultural produce and improve Nigeria’s economy through airline cargo.
Both parties signed the MoU at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos, on 4th June, 2024. It is a visionary step towards unlocking economic growth in the region.
During the signing ceremony, the FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku stated that as part of the move to place Plateau in its rightful place as one of the food baskets of the nation, the state government would provide financial support for facility upgrades, while FAAN delivers professional expertise, guidance and security at the airport.
She added that the partnership presents historic turning point in Nigerian agricultural exports and contributes to the N3.5 trillion worth of food that perishes annually in the country.
Kuku urged cargo State holders to partner FAAN and Plateau by investing in packaging facilities, storage solutions, and transportation infrastructure that will connect the farmers to the world.
“When N3.5 trillion worth of food perishes annually in Nigeria while global markets hunger for our produce, we know something must change. This is not just about building infrastructure , it is about building dreams, creating opportunities, and unleashing Plateau’s boundless agricultural potential onto the global stage.
“This partnership represents everything we believe in. The state government providing financial muscle for facility upgrades, while FAAN delivers professional expertise, guidance and security. It is a blueprint for the kind of collaboration that will drive Nigeria toward President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030.”, she said.
Plateau State Governor , Caleb Mutfwang , expressed the hope that the partnership would be the begining of the process to unlocking the cargo potentials of the State, despite the challenges.
He noted that the deal with FAAN will complement the special agro processing centre which would soon be onboarded in partnership with Africa Development Bank.
“We began the conversation over a year ago but today it’s becoming a reality. The Jos airport is one of the oldest airport in this country .Jos is a regional hub for agriculture and other produce in Northern Nigeria. For years this plan has been on the drawing board to upgrade the Jos airport to an international Cargo airport and we are glad that finally, we have seen light at the tunnel.
“We have every confidence that in the next couple of years , we are going to see this airport yield the desired revenue among other airports in Nigeria. The potential is huge , with all the challenges we are facing, there is a lot of commercial activities.
“We are in the process of rebuilding the biggest market in West Africa destroyed by fire , therefore, Jos is going to become the centre of commerce in Northern Nigeria. This is the journey we have just begun, we are bordered by several states.Last year ,we set up a Plateau commodity marketing company to become an aggregation centre for food produce and we believe that will complement the special agro processing centre which we will soon onboard in partnership with Africa Development Bank, before the year runs out. Close to the airport, we also have the dry land Port which we are discussing the development with the private sector. I believe that this partnership is quite promising and will hopefully yield the results the MD desires with the vision she has brought into her leadership in FAAN.”he said.
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