Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc sustained its progress trajectory, with double-digit growths throughout key efficiency indices in the third quarter highlighting the persevering with model choice and operation effectivity of West Africa’s main aviation dealing with and logistics group.
Interim report and accounts of NAHCO for the nine-month interval ended September 30, 2026 launched on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) confirmed that whole income rose by 16.51 per cent, combining with increased working margin to increase working profit by 19.5 per cent. A 19.7 per cent decline in finance prices moderated 39.1 per cent drop in finance earnings, leaving pre-tax profit increased by 18.39 per cent. After taxes, internet profit rose by 19.2 per cent. Earnings per share consequently elevated by 19.2 per cent.
The report confirmed that whole income rose to N55.64 billion in third quarter 2026 as in opposition to N47.76 billion recorded in comparable interval of 2025. Gross profit elevated by 8.5 per cent from N25.97 billion to N28.17 billion. Operating profit improved from N18.14 billion to N21.66 billion. Finance prices declined from N1.57 billion to N1.26 billion. However, finance earnings additionally dropped considerably from N1.37 billion to N834 million.
With more and more environment friendly price administration, profit earlier than tax rose to N21.24 billion in third quarter 2026 as in opposition to N17.94 billion in comparable interval of 2025. After taxes, internet profit elevated from N13.46 billion to N16.04 billion. With these, earnings per share stood at N7.20 in third quarter 2026 in contrast with N6.04 in third quarter 2025.
The sturdy third quarter efficiency locations NAHCO on agency trajectory to maintain its much-applauded consecutive enhancements in dividend to shareholders over the previous 5 years. Despite the rise in excellent shares due to bonus concern for the 2025 enterprise yr, third quarter 2026 dividend cowl stands at 1.15 instances as in opposition to 0.97 instances for identical interval in 2025, offering sufficient headroom for the corporate to take into account increased dividend payouts.
Shareholders of NAHCO had at their annual normal assembly in May 2026, permitted mixed dividend of money and bonus shares. The firm elevated money dividend to N12.18 billion for the 2025 enterprise yr as in opposition to N11.58 billion paid for the 2024 enterprise yr. Shareholders acquired a dividend per share of N6.25 for the 2025 enterprise yr in contrast with N5.94 paid for the earlier yr.
Shareholders additionally acquired one odd share of fifty kobo every as bonus share for each seven odd shares held, routinely growing the variety of shares held by every shareholder by 14.3 per cent. The firm’s excellent paid up shares thus elevated from 1.949 billion odd shares of fifty kobo every to 2.228 billion odd shares of fifty kobo every.
The steadiness sheet of the group additionally emerged stronger, underlining the sturdy operational basis driving the actions of the group. Total belongings rose from N55.12 billion in December 2025 to N58.85 billion in September 2026. With the bonus concern, paid up share capital elevated from N974.53 million to N1.114 billion. Shareholders’ funds rose from N26 billion to N29.86 billion.
Underlying efficiency ratios confirmed that the general efficiency of the group was pushed by enterprise progress and operational effectivity. While gross margin compressed from 54.38 per cent to 50.63 per cent due to the inflationary atmosphere, working profit margin improved from 37.98 per cent to 38.9 per cent. Pre-tax profit margin additionally elevated from 37.56 per cent to 38.17 per cent. Return on fairness (ROE) stood increased at 53.72 per cent, in contrast with 51.77 per cent. Return on whole belongings (ROA) rose from 24.42 per cent to 27.26 per cent.
Chairman, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Dr Seinde Fadeni, stated the third quarter 2026 efficiency demonstrated the group’s management in the aviation providers trade and the resilience of its enterprise technique.
According to him, NAHCO has continued to make investments in human, technical and infrastructural capabilities which have sustained its management because the most-preferred and largest aviation dealing with and logistics group in West Africa.
He assured that the board stays dedicated to guaranteeing that company progress interprets into greater returns to shareholders, who’ve continued to show confidence in the board and administration of the group.
“We are confident about the outlook for the aviation industry and our business. We remain focused on our strategic plan on sustainability and diversification. We will continue to explore opportunities to grow the business and deliver competitive returns to our stakeholders,” Fadeni stated.
Group Managing Director, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Mr Olumuyiwa Olumekun stated the third quarter 2026 efficiency confirmed the outcomes of administration’s emphasis on high quality progress, increasing the enterprise with a give attention to prices and returns.
He attributed the expansion in income to enhancements throughout the companies, from plane dealing with, to cargo operations and associated companies, supported by decrease administrative bills and finance prices.
A breakdown of the income confirmed that whereas plane dealing with stays the core, cargo dealing with grew by about 31 per cent, reflecting elevated commerce and e-commerce volumes. Revenue from free zone, transhipment, logistics, ticketing and lounge providers jumped 47.17 per cent to N2.91 billion whereas tools rental and upkeep generated N4.45 billion.
“Our performance highlights the quality of service and facilities that NAHCO has come to be known for. We remain committed to sustaining this growth trajectory and in ensuring that our shareholders continue to enjoy the benefit of their investments,” Olumekun stated.
