Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO): A History of Excellence in Aviation Services

Nov 15, 2025 0

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) is a prominent player in the aviation sector, offering a comprehensive suite of services essential to airport operations.

History and Ownership

NAHCO was incorporated as a Private Limited Liability Company on 6 December 1979 under the then Nigerian Enterprises Promotions Decree, with Nigerian and foreign equity ownerships in the proportion of 60% and 40% shares respectively.

The Nigeria Airports Authority (NAA), now Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) represented the Nigerian ownership of 60% while four foreign Airlines own the remaining 40%.

From Government to Public Ownership

Following the decision of the Federal Government to divest its shares in the company, and the Board's resolution of 4 August, 2005 changing the status of the company to Public Limited Liability company (PLC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), on behalf of FAAN, offered for sale 180million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N5.50 per share through the Initial Public Offer (IPO) which opened on 31 October and closed on 28 November, 2005.

The government's 60% share holding was over subscribed.

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Services Offered

NAHCO operates through the following segments: Ground Handling, Cargo Handling and Others.

Ground Handling: The Ground Handling segment offers ramp services, passenger profiling, baggage handling, and crew transportation.

Cargo Handling: The Cargo Handling segment focuses on cargo documentation services for airlines, import and export facilitation through customs bonded warehouses across the network.

Others: The Others segment includes equipment and lease rentals.

It offers aircraft handling services, which include general air traffic, baggage, flight dispatch, and aircraft cleaning services; passenger and cargo handling; passenger profiling; crew transportation; and aviation training services.

The company is also engaged in energy and power distribution activities; and leasing ground handling equipment.

It serves approximately 35 airlines at 7 airports in Nigeria.

Ramp Services

NAHCo's staff work hard to ensure that airlines operate their flights on schedule and in accordance with international safety standards. From the point of the aircraft landing to departure, NAHCo's technical staff perform crucial tasks such as aircraft push back, cleaning and maintenance, using a wide range of functional and modern equipment.

Cargo Services

In handling cargo, the Company places a premium on safety and strict adherence to international requirements. NAHCo is guided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations and other conventions on aviation ground handling to ensure that its services conform to global best practices.

All cargo operations are computerised using the Hermes technology, and this has helped to improve service delivery.

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NAHCO operates a vast network of customs-bonded warehouses in Nigeria, located in major cities such as Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, and Enugu, leveraging the Galaxy computerisation system to ensure safe storage and efficient retrieval of cargoes.

The Company has automated its services to reduce transaction time. With the Departure Control System (DCS), and the Integrated Multi User System (IMUSE), check-in procedures are quick and efficient.

Commitment to Standards and Ethics

NAHCO positions itself for long-term business prosperity by adhering to high standards of corporate governance and maintaining a strong institutional framework.

The company operates in compliance with international and local standards and regulations, including the IFRS Accounting Standards, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, and the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018.

NAHCO is fundamentally committed to conducting its affairs ethically and responsibly.

The Group actively plays a role in societal development and implements proactive measures for sustainability. This focus is monitored through regular updates on its comprehensive Sustainability Policy.

Furthermore, NAHCO is dedicated to ethical conduct, implementing a robust Whistleblowing Policy that guarantees anonymity and protection for whistleblowers, encouraging the reporting of unethical behaviours. The Audit Committee is regularly updated on all reported cases.

The Board has also adopted a stringent Anti-Bribery and Corruption Statement to uphold the highest levels of integrity in all business dealings, in line with global best practices and applicable laws.

As of the end of the 2024 financial year, the company had an average of 2,052 employees (2023: 1,608), demonstrating significant workforce growth.

NAHCO is committed to the fair consideration of job applications from disabled persons and prohibits discrimination in recruitment, training, and career development, aiming for identical career development paths for all employees where possible.