Plateau State, FAAN Partner to Establish N3.5tn Food Cargo Hub

In a groundbreaking move aimed at curbing the staggering loss of agricultural produce in Nigeria, the Plateau State Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have announced a strategic partnership to establish a food cargo hub at Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos. The initiative is designed to tackle the estimated ₦3.5 trillion worth of food lost annually due to post-harvest waste and poor logistics. The deal was officially sealed on Wednesday in Lagos, with the signing of critical documents that will see the airport upgraded into a modern international cargo terminal—a step poised to position Plateau State as Nigeria’s premier agricultural export hub.

“Historic Turning Point for Agricultural Exports” – Mutfwang

Speaking at the signing event, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the project as a long-awaited transformation in Nigeria’s agriculture value chain.

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“The Jos Airport is one of the oldest in the country, operational since 1972. Plateau State has long been a regional agricultural hub, but our farmers’ efforts have gone largely unrewarded due to poor access to markets,” Mutfwang stated. He lamented that while global demand for Nigeria’s fresh produce—especially potatoes, maize, fruits, and vegetables—is high, many local farmers lack the infrastructure to export.

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“Today, we are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” he added, while thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enabling the partnership through his policy support.

Infrastructure Upgrade and Economic Impact

The project will involve extensive upgrades to Yakubu Gowon Airport, including:

• A dedicated cargo terminal
• Runway expansion
• Apron enlargement
• Cold storage facilities
• Cargo warehouses
• X-ray baggage scanners
• Advanced surveillance and security systems

Governor Mutfwang confirmed that the state government will provide funding, while FAAN will deliver technical expertise, regulatory guidance, and airport security frameworks.

FAAN Endorses Vision for $1 Trillion Economy

FAAN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku, emphasized the initiative’s alignment with President Tinubu’s 2030 vision of a $1 trillion economy.

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“This is a blueprint for how state and federal agencies should work together to move Nigeria forward,” she said. “When N3.5 trillion worth of food perishes annually while global markets hunger for our produce, it is clear that something must change. That change begins today,” she added. Kuku highlighted the commercial viability of the initiative and called on private sector stakeholders to invest in packaging, storage, and transport infrastructure that will support a seamless farm-to-market pipeline.

A Call to Investors and Stakeholders

In her address, Kuku encouraged both local and international investors to become part of the project: “Plateau State stands ready with its resources. FAAN stands ready with its expertise. The markets stand ready to receive our produce. The time to act is now.” The partnership is expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate agro-processing industries, and improve foreign exchange earnings through structured export channels.

A New Chapter for Northern Nigeria

This initiative not only promises to transform Plateau into a logistics and export powerhouse but also strengthens Northern Nigeria’s strategic role in food production. Once complete, the food cargo hub at Yakubu Gowon Airport will serve farmers across the Middle Belt and beyond, linking them to international markets in real time.

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