The Nigerian Senate has called on the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, along with key stakeholders in the aviation industry, for an urgent session to address growing public concern over the sharp rise in domestic airfares nationwide.
The decision followed a motion presented on Tuesday by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, who warned that the sudden surge in ticket prices could severely disrupt nationwide travel and threaten the smooth movement of people, especially as the festive season approaches. During the debate, Senator Buhari highlighted that many Nigerians have been struggling with escalating domestic flight costs for months, describing the situation as increasingly burdensome for ordinary citizens.
According to the senator, a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now ranges between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, a level he described as unaffordable for the majority of Nigerians. He also pointed out that the situation is exacerbated by rising insecurity and the inherent dangers of long-distance road travel. “It is imperative that we bring together all stakeholders in the aviation sector to examine these issues. Immediate interventions are necessary before the peak travel period,” he urged.
Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Unchecked Fare Hikes
Several senators echoed Buhari’s concerns during the session. Senator Adamu Aliero labeled the sharp fare increase as “completely unacceptable,” while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi decried what he described as a 400 percent surge in ticket prices. Nwebonyi also criticized the persistent delays in establishing a national carrier, stressing that Nigeria has long been overdue for a homegrown airline to ensure affordability and accessibility.
Similarly, Senator Solomon Olamilekan argued that airline operators have already benefitted from government concessions, including reductions on spare parts and other operational costs, and should therefore be accountable for the current steep fares.
In contrast, Senator Orji Kalu attempted to defend the airlines, citing rising operational expenses, fuel costs, and the escalating price of aircraft spare parts as justification for higher fares. However, his defense was met with strong disapproval from other senators, many of whom emphasized the need for immediate government intervention.
Call for Urgent Stakeholder Engagement
By the end of the deliberations, the Senate resolved that Minister Keyamo, airline operators, regulatory authorities, and other relevant stakeholders must appear before the appropriate committees within the week. The objective is to provide explanations for the soaring ticket prices and to outline concrete measures that could stabilize fares ahead of the festive season.
Lawmakers stressed that without swift action, the cost of domestic air travel could continue to rise, further restricting mobility and placing additional financial strain on Nigerians planning to travel during the holidays.
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