Olubunmi Kuku highlights rising cargo volumes while UK education mission deepens skills partnership

By ifeoma Onyekachi

Nigeria’s trade volume with the United Kingdom has climbed to £8.1 billion, with aviation emerging as a key driver of export growth,  Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has said.

Citing recent data, Kuku noted that the bilateral trade figure reflects an 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase, with UK imports from Nigeria valued at £2.4 billion. She attributed the growth to expanding cargo operations, improved market access, and policy support aimed at boosting non-oil exports.

Speaking through FAAN’s Director of Cargo Development and Services, Lekan Thomas, at a forum organised by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Kuku said the aviation sector is unlocking new export opportunities. She added that even a modest 1 to 5 per cent rise in export volumes could generate between $25 million and $125 million in additional revenue.

Kuku also pointed to the United Kingdom’s expanded trade concessions covering over 3,000 Nigerian products as a significant boost for exporters across agriculture, manufacturing, and emerging industries.

She further highlighted ongoing aviation reforms backed by Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, noting that recent engagements have helped restore investor confidence and strengthen bilateral ties.

According to her, FAAN is investing in infrastructure upgrades, digital cargo systems, and incentives to attract more cargo airlines, positioning Nigeria to capture a larger share of the global air freight market.

“With the right systems in place, Nigeria is well-positioned to scale exports, deepen trade with the UK, and become a leading air cargo hub in Africa,” she said.

Meanwhile, efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation extended beyond trade, as a high-level United Kingdom education and skills mission concluded a week-long visit to Nigeria, laying the groundwork for expanded collaboration in workforce development.

Organised by the UK Department for Business and Trade, the mission held from April 19 to 23 in Abuja and Lagos brought together leading UK private schools, skills providers, and education institutions with Nigerian policymakers, investors, and school operators.

The initiative forms part of the UK’s International Education Strategy, which identifies Nigeria as a priority market for global partnerships.

During the visit, the delegation held high-level talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, securing political backing for deeper institutional collaboration, particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and industry-aligned skills development.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, described education as a key pillar of UK–Nigeria relations, noting that the mission underscored a strong mutual appetite to expand cooperation.

“The UK and Nigeria share a deep and longstanding relationship, and opportunities in education are one of its most exciting frontiers,” Baxter said.

Also commenting, Sarah Chidgey said the mission demonstrated the practical implementation of the UK’s education strategy, with growing momentum in partnerships since 2022.

The delegation featured representatives from leading UK institutions, including Harrow International School, The King’s School Canterbury, Whitgift School, Bedford School, and Pearson.

The mission concluded with a pipeline of follow-up engagements, including memorandum of understanding discussions and partnership negotiations aimed at translating dialogue into concrete outcomes.

Analysts say the combined push in trade and education signals a more structured and commercially viable phase in UK–Nigeria relations, with potential gains in export diversification, skills development, and long-term economic growth.