By Igbinosa Osula-Aituamen
In what could become a defining moment for Nigeria’s agricultural export trajectory, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Plateau State Government have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transform the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos into an international food cargo hub.
The event, which took place at FAAN headquarters in Lagos, marked more than just the signing of an agreement, it symbolized a shared vision to unlock the vast agricultural potential of Plateau State and deliver it to global markets.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, captured the urgency and promise of the initiative by pointing to a sobering national reality: over ₦3.5 trillion worth of food is lost annually in Nigeria due to inefficiencies in storage, logistics, and distribution. Yet, international markets continue to demand the very produce that withers in Nigerian fields. That contradiction, she said, must end.
“Plateau State is not just another part of Nigeria, it is a rich, fertile expanse of land where the climate and soil have gifted farmers the ability to grow world-class crops year-round,” Kuku said.
“This partnership isn’t just about upgrading an airport; it’s about upgrading lives, connecting dreams to markets, and giving Nigeria a competitive edge in global food trade.”
The collaboration will see the Plateau State Government providing the financial backing for necessary infrastructure upgrades, while FAAN brings to the table its professional expertise in airport operations, logistics, and security. Together, they intend to convert the Jos airport into a cargo gateway that will serve not only Nigeria but the wider West African subregion.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, whose administration has pushed hard to place Plateau on the economic map, spoke of the significance of the moment with both gratitude and conviction. The Jos airport, he reminded the audience, dates back to the early 1970s and has long awaited such transformation. Now, after decades of talk and abandoned plans, progress is finally taking shape.
“We have seen this vision on the drawing board for years,” Mutfwang said.
“But today we are beginning a new chapter. What we’re doing is laying the foundation for a story that will be told in the years to come, a story of value, growth, and resilience.”
The governor credited the political will of President Bola Tinubu and the support of the Hon. Minister of Aviation for enabling the partnership, but was quick to point out that without the leadership of FAAN’s MD and her technical team, the plan might still be a paper dream.
Mutfwang recalled the turning point came during Kuku’s visit to the Jos airport last year—an engagement that catalyzed concrete steps toward today’s agreement.
Beyond the symbolic handshake, real plans are underway to ensure the project’s impact is felt widely.
Mutfwang outlined ongoing efforts in the state to create a comprehensive agricultural value chain.
These include the establishment of the Plateau Commodities Marketing Company, designed to aggregate produce from across the region, and the development of a Special Agro-Processing Zone in partnership with the African Development Bank. Near the airport, a dry inland port is also in the works, forming a logistical corridor that will facilitate the export of goods from Plateau and neighboring states.
“This isn’t just about Plateau,” Mutfwang emphasized. “It’s about reimagining the role of Northern Nigeria in commerce. Jos is poised to become a center of trade and logistics, supported by the infrastructure and geography to connect rural productivity with global opportunity.”
The tone of the event was one of optimism and determination. FAAN’s Kuku closed with a call to action for private investors, urging them to seize the opportunity to invest in storage, packaging, and transport infrastructure.
“The market is ready, our farmers are ready, and now, finally, the systems are aligning,” she said.
“We are not just signing a document, we are making a declaration of economic independence for Nigerian agriculture.”
As Plateau State takes its first steps toward becoming a national export engine, the success of this collaboration may well become a blueprint for similar partnerships across the country.
If the vision is realized, future generations may indeed look back on this moment as the day Nigeria’s agricultural potential truly began to take flight.
