The Nigerian government has inked a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DALIL United Arab Emirates (UAE) to modernise the nation’s aviation and cargo sectors using cutting-edge security and cargo information technologies.
The announcement came in a statement on Tuesday from Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The agreement was formalised during a high-level Nigerian delegation’s visit to Abu Dhabi.
DALIL UAE is a globally recognised leader in aviation security and advanced cargo information (ACI) systems. Under the new partnership, the two sides will collaborate on deploying ACI technologies across Nigerian airports, supported by technical cooperation and a phased implementation roadmap.
According to Moshood, the project’s first phase will begin in October 2025 with feasibility studies, setting the stage for a full-scale national rollout targeted for the third quarter of 2026.
At the signing ceremony, Minister Keyamo described the ACI initiative as a “game changer” for Nigerian aviation.
“Implementing advanced cargo information technology is vital to securing Nigeria’s aviation future,” he said.
“It will enhance aviation security by identifying high-risk cargo before arrival, streamline cargo terminal operations, boost transparency, and ensure real-time revenue tracking. This initiative will also position Nigeria as a leading regional logistics hub, aligning with ICAO and WCO global standards.”
During their visit to Abu Dhabi International Airport and the UAE’s command and control centre, the Nigerian delegation experienced firsthand demonstrations of DALIL’s innovative ACI solutions. These systems focus on real-time cargo data management to improve security, speed up clearance, and increase government revenue.
Moshood highlighted the importance of early detection and risk profiling capabilities showcased during the visit, calling it a major boost for aviation safety and operational efficiency.
“This partnership marks Nigeria’s boldest move yet toward digitalising its aviation cargo systems, making it the first West African country to embark on such a large-scale adoption of ACI technology,” he added.
Led by Minister Keyamo, the delegation included top officials such as Chris Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and senior representatives from Nigerian Customs Service and FAAN’s cargo and security departments.
The partnership signals a new chapter in Nigeria’s ambition to build a secure, efficient, and internationally competitive cargo ecosystem that could serve as a model across Africa.
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