The Federal Government has resolved to stop foreign airlines from selling flight tickets in dollars, in a bid to stabilise the naira and make air travel more affordable for Nigerians.
Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), disclosed the decision during a tourism event in Lagos, describing the practice as “a crime against the economy” that has deepened the nation’s foreign exchange crisis.
He said government officials are finalising measures to halt the dollar-denominated ticket sales, which have long been a source of tension between local travel agencies and international carriers.
“Those of us in the aviation sector understand that until we have a strong Nigerian carrier to fill the gap, these issues will persist,” Folami said. “I am pleased to inform Nigerians that government is squarely addressing the issue of ticket sales in foreign currency. That is the latest development on the matter.”
Dollar Ticketing and the Price of Travel
For years, foreign airlines have insisted on pricing their tickets in dollars, citing the volatility of the naira and delays in repatriating their earnings. The result has been steep ticket prices, which now range between N1.8 million and N4 million for long-haul economy seats.
The practice has forced many Nigerians to postpone travel or resort to circuitous flight routes through smaller African carriers that charge lower fares. For businesses, it has driven up the cost of logistics and reduced mobility for trade and tourism.
Analysts say the planned ban could bring some relief to travellers by restoring transparency and consistency in pricing. However, it could also spark friction with international carriers unless currency supply and conversion policies are better coordinated.
Folami noted that dollar-based ticketing undermines Nigeria’s monetary policy and places undue strain on the foreign exchange market. “It distorts the economy and weakens consumer confidence,” he said. “The average traveller ends up paying the price for a system that is long overdue for reform.”
Push for Local Capacity and Economic Independence
The NANTA president urged Nigerians to support indigenous airlines such as Air Peace, which has begun direct flights from Lagos and Abuja to London. He described the airline’s expansion as a major step towards achieving competitive balance in the aviation sector.
“It is our patriotic responsibility to support and pray for the success of Air Peace,” Folami said. “Its sustainability will help stabilise Nigeria’s aviation market.”
By limiting dollar exposure in the aviation industry, government officials believe the new policy will not only strengthen the naira but also reduce inflationary pressure linked to foreign-denominated transactions.
For the average Nigerian, the benefit could be more than symbolic. Lower ticket prices mean better access to travel for education, business and health purposes — areas that have become increasingly unaffordable in the wake of currency devaluation.
Still, industry experts caution that without better infrastructure and stronger local airlines, the policy might not deliver its full promise. But for now, travellers burdened by dollar-priced tickets may see it as a long-overdue reprieve.
