Nigerians protest dollar-only ticket sales by foreign airlines, urging government action to protect the naira and reduce skyrocketing yuletide airfares.
Nigerian air passengers are voicing intense anger and frustration over the growing enforcement of dollar-only ticket sales by some international airlines operating in the country.
The practice, they argue, not only worsens airfare inflation but also undermines Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and weakens the naira’s global standing.
With the yuletide season fast approaching, many travellers fear that the controversial policy will further push airfares beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.
The reintroduction of dollar-only ticket sales has sparked public outcry, with industry stakeholders urging the Federal Government to take decisive action against foreign carriers that refuse to transact in the local currency.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, several passengers lamented the increasing cost of air travel, describing the new ticketing policy as exploitative and disrespectful.
They noted that airfares traditionally rise during festive periods, but the decision to peg ticket sales to the US dollar will make matters worse for most Nigerian families already battling inflation and rising living costs.
One traveller, Aderele James, a Morocco-bound passenger who spoke with Punch, criticised the airlines’ insistence on dollar payments, describing it as an insult to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“I was shocked when my agent told me I could only pay in dollars,” he said. “This is Nigeria, and the naira is our legal tender. No airline should dictate a foreign currency for transactions within our borders. Our government must act to protect national pride and consumer rights.”
James further said he and his family had resolved never to patronize any airline that insists on dollar payments. “This is not just about tickets—it’s about our dignity as a nation. Allowing dollar-only ticket sales is like surrendering our independence all over again,” he added.
Meanwhile, passengers’ frustration has been heightened by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) recent announcement of an additional $11.50 charge per ticket, set to take effect on December 1, 2025, under the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) initiative.
The NCAA claims the fee aims to enhance airport security and streamline passenger clearance through pre-arrival data collection.
However, critics argue that the new charge, combined with the existing $20 security fee, will only increase travel costs and discourage international flights.
Industry experts believe that these policies, when paired with dollar-only ticket sales, could cripple the aviation sector by making air travel prohibitively expensive for most Nigerians.
In an interview, Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), condemned the practice of excluding the naira from ticket transactions.
“No country that values its economy allows such a system,” Folami said.
“Insisting on dollar-only ticket sales puts undue pressure on our local currency and weakens confidence in Nigeria’s financial stability. Foreign airlines must respect our laws and transact in naira.”
He explained that allowing ticket sales in naira would boost the economy by empowering thousands of travel agents, creating jobs, and stimulating consumer confidence.
“We remain hopeful that the government will step in to restore fairness and protect Nigeria’s sovereignty,” he added.
Economists have also weighed in on the issue, warning that the dominance of dollar transactions in the aviation sector could trigger further depreciation of the naira.
According to them, it sends a signal of economic weakness and dependency to the global market.
“It’s alarming that foreign airlines are dictating currency preferences in a sovereign nation. This must stop immediately,” said a Lagos-based economic analyst.
The broader implication of dollar-only ticket sales extends beyond individual travellers—it touches the very core of Nigeria’s economic independence.
When foreign businesses refuse to accept the naira, it erodes confidence in the country’s currency and discourages international investors who see instability and weak policy enforcement.
As the festive season nears, air passengers and travel agencies are calling for swift and firm intervention from the Federal Government.
Many are demanding that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Aviation mandate all airlines to sell tickets in naira to protect consumer interests and national integrity.
“Airlines enjoy enormous patronage from Nigerians,” Folami emphasized.
“Respecting our currency should not be negotiable. The government must make it clear that operations in Nigeria must comply with our laws and economic framework.”
Beyond the aviation sector, analysts suggest that the government’s response to this issue could determine future investor confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory system.
Failure to act decisively, they warn, might embolden other foreign companies to disregard the country’s monetary regulations.
Ultimately, the battle against dollar-only ticket sales is more than an aviation dispute—it has become a test of Nigeria’s resolve to uphold its economic sovereignty.
For millions of Nigerian travellers, the demand is simple: let ticket sales reflect the nation’s legal tender, the naira, and ensure that air travel remains accessible, affordable, and dignified.
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