By Peter.
As the Christmas season draws near, Nigerian air travelers are voicing strong frustration with the ongoing practice of selling flight tickets in foreign currencies, especially the US dollar. Many worry that this policy will drive up ticket prices even further, pushing air travel out of reach for ordinary citizens.
This contentious policy, recently brought back by certain international carriers, has sparked fury across the aviation industry. Both experts and passengers view the dollar-exclusive sales as an insult to Nigeria’s independence, urging the Federal Government to intervene immediately.
In casual interviews at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport on Monday, numerous flyers complained that the dollar-only rule would intensify the typical holiday price surges, already straining family finances.
Compounding travelers’ grievances, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has introduced a new $11.50 per-ticket fee starting December 1, 2025, under the Advance Passenger Information System program. This addition has fueled more backlash in the sector.
The NCAA explains that the APIS charge will improve security and speed up passenger processing at airports by gathering traveler details in advance. Yet, despite these reasons, skeptics see it as yet another cost—separate from the $20 security levy from 2010—that will weigh heavily on passengers and hinder travel operations.
Still, the biggest grievance for most Nigerians is foreign airlines’ refusal to accept anything but US dollars for tickets—a tactic seen as predatory and dismissive of the nation’s official currency.
In a chat with our reporter, Aderele James, heading to Morocco, slammed the dollar mandate as a calculated effort to harm Nigeria’s economy.
“I was shocked when my agent said some airlines demand dollars only from departing passengers. This is Nigeria, a proud sovereign nation—no one should dictate our rules. Why yield to airlines operating here?
“The naira is our legal tender, and it must apply to every deal. They wouldn’t tolerate this in their homelands. Our leaders’ silence on this is baffling and wrong.”
James added, “I’ve sworn off any airline that insists on dollars. My family and I refuse to support those that disrespect our currency here. We fought for independence; we can’t let it be eroded. Silence invites more abuse. Mr. President, act now!”
Another passenger, Mrs. Lawson, pledged to avoid airlines rejecting naira payments, calling the approach biased and callous.
In a phone discussion, Yinka Folami, head of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, noted that while international airlines can set their policies, they must respect Nigeria’s laws and sovereignty.
Folami stated, “Barring the naira in local transactions is indefensible. It strains our currency and counters efforts to steady the economy.”
He cautioned that persistent dollar demands in aviation could erode the naira’s value further and encouraged carriers to trust in Nigeria’s economic recovery.
“Selling in naira would energize young travel agents, generate employment, and strengthen the nation,” he said. “We’re hopeful the government will halt this soon.”
As holiday travel ramps up, flyers and sector players are demanding quick government action to safeguard passenger interests, preserve national pride, and keep flying affordable in Nigeria’s own money.
