Chairman SAHCO, Afolabi
When the Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi speaks on air cargo, the industry listens. And at the SAHCO Cargo Stakeholders Forum held at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, he spoke with clarity, conviction and a clear chart for the future.
Represented by the Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, Dr. Afolabi said Nigeria’s air cargo industry can only become globally competitive through one thing: robust stakeholder collaboration built on mutual trust and shared responsibility.
It was not just a speech. It was a strategy.
“The air cargo sector plays a vital role in facilitating international trade, connecting markets, supporting businesses, and contributing to economic development,” Afolabi said. “In today’s interconnected global economy, the speed, reliability, security, and efficiency of cargo operations are critical to the competitiveness of businesses and the growth of our nation.”
For him, no player can fly solo.
“At SAHCO Plc, we recognise that our success is closely linked to the success of every stakeholder within the cargo value chain. From airlines and freight forwarders to regulatory agencies, cargo agents, importers, exporters, and other service providers, we all share the responsibility of ensuring that cargo moves safely, efficiently, and seamlessly through our airports.”
And SAHCO is leading by example, investing heavily to meet the demands of that shared responsibility.
The company has rolled out a new generation of equipment to raise the bar for safety, speed and security. These include a state-of-the-art dual-view X-ray machine for advanced cargo screening, an Exclusive Trace Detection (ETB) machine for detecting potential explosive traces, a 16-tonne forklift to handle heavy and oversized consignments, and specialized cold-chain handling capabilities for temperature-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals and perishables.
“In furtherance of our operational efficiency objectives, we have added a 16-tonne forklift to our equipment fleet. This addition strengthens our capacity to handle heavy and oversized consignments, improve cargo movement, and support more efficient loading, offloading, and cargo handling operations,” Afolabi disclosed.
He added: “By strengthening our capabilities in this area, we aim to support cargo integrity, reduce the risk of temperature-related damage, and provide greater value to customers whose businesses depend on the safe and timely movement of sensitive goods.”
Beyond equipment, SAHCO has also expanded its cargo build-up operational area to improve workflow, optimize space and handle growing cargo volumes with ease.
But Afolabi was quick to note that machines alone do not make a world-class cargo hub. It takes people, process and partnership – a skilled workforce, strict adherence to safety protocols, and effective communication among all partners.
That was the essence of the forum – a platform for industry players to bare their minds on operational bottlenecks, share feedback, and explore practical solutions to reduce cargo turnaround times, strengthen security standards and boost trade facilitation.
Speakers at the event echoed his call for concerted efforts to strengthen cargo security and reduce logistics bottlenecks at airports across the country.
SAHCO, on its part, reaffirmed its commitment to an open-door policy, leveraging stakeholder feedback to continually refine its service delivery and positioning Nigeria’s aviation sector as a trusted leader in global air cargo operations.
In an era where global trade moves at the speed of air cargo, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has not just affirmed collaboration and infrastructure – he has charted the course, and equipped the ship to sail.
