Copyright radarr
As the Christmas and New Year travel season draws closer, many air passengers in Nigeria have expressed strong anger over the continued sale of flight tickets in foreign currencies, especially the United States dollar. The policy, recently reintroduced by some international airlines, has sparked outrage among passengers and aviation stakeholders who believe it will make air travel unaffordable for many Nigerians. Several passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday told reporters that the dollar-only ticket sales would worsen the already high cost of flight fares during the festive period. For most families, this is the time of the year when ticket prices traditionally rise, and the new policy could make the situation unbearable for average travellers. Adding to their frustration, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently announced an additional $11.50 charge on every ticket starting from December 1, 2025. The new fee is part of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which the NCAA says will improve airport security and streamline passenger data processing before arrival. However, this new charge has faced heavy criticism from passengers and industry observers who view it as another unnecessary financial burden. According to the NCAA, the APIS fee is different from the $20 security charge introduced in 2010 and will help strengthen data management across Nigerian airports. But critics argue that while security is important, the growing list of dollar-denominated fees only makes flying more difficult for Nigerians who earn and spend in naira. Many passengers insist that the dollar-only ticket policy is more pressing and should be immediately addressed by the Federal Government. One of the travellers interviewed, Mr. Aderele James, who was travelling to Morocco, described the policy as an “insult” to Nigeria’s sovereignty and economy. “I was shocked when my travel agent told me that some airlines now accept only dollars from passengers flying out of Nigeria. This is Nigeria, a sovereign country with its own currency. Why should we bend our rules for airlines operating in our country? The legal tender here is the naira, and it should be accepted for all transactions,” he said. James further stated that he and his family had resolved to boycott any airline that refuses to accept the naira. “This is completely disrespectful. We worked hard for our independence, and no one should trample on our right to use our own currency. Our leaders must stop keeping quiet about this issue. The President should intervene and make it clear that the naira must be respected,” he added. Another traveller, Mrs. Lawson, also condemned the policy, saying she would avoid any airline that insists on dollar payments. She described the move as “discriminatory and insensitive,” noting that it excludes ordinary Nigerians who may not have access to foreign exchange. Industry stakeholders have also joined in the criticism. The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), Mr. Yinka Folami, said in a telephone interview that while foreign airlines have the right to make business decisions, they must respect the laws and sovereignty of the country where they operate. “Excluding the naira from ticket sales in Nigeria is unjustifiable,” Folami said. “Such practices put undue pressure on our local currency and undermine the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy. Allowing passengers to pay in naira will support thousands of young travel agents, create jobs, and boost the aviation industry.” Folami warned that the increasing demand for dollars in the aviation sector could further weaken the naira in the foreign exchange market. He urged airlines to demonstrate faith in Nigeria’s improving economic situation by allowing ticket sales in the local currency. As the yuletide approaches, both passengers and aviation experts are calling on the Federal Government to step in and ensure that airlines operating in the country respect Nigeria’s currency laws. Many believe that failure to act could worsen economic inequality and make air travel a luxury reserved only for the rich. The controversy over dollar-only ticket sales adds to a growing list of complaints about the rising cost of air travel in Nigeria. For most Nigerians, the issue goes beyond affordability — it is also about national dignity and economic independence. Passengers say they deserve to buy tickets in their own currency, just as travellers do in other parts of the world.
