As Nigeria enters the 2026 calendar year, two prominent student advocacy groups—the Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network (CJAN) and the Association for Students’ Social Welfare (ASSW)—are urging the federal government to implement structured student airfare policies and review aviation taxes. The groups warn that rising air‑travel costs are increasingly limiting access to education and skills development for Nigerian students.
In a joint press statement, the organizations emphasized that affordable air travel is crucial for education, research collaboration, and national development. They called for clear, enforceable student‑airfare frameworks covering both domestic and international routes, as well as a comprehensive review of the tax burden on the aviation sector. According to CJAN and ASSW, over 90,000 Nigerians study abroad annually, with billions of dollars spent on foreign education each year. Domestically, rising airfares are affecting students traveling for admissions processes, academic conferences, industrial training, competitions, and research activities.
The groups noted that while some airlines have introduced student discounts on select international routes, these discounts are voluntary and not guaranteed. Taiwo Ajayi, founder of CJAN, emphasized that student mobility should be treated as a national investment rather than a luxury: “When students are denied access to opportunities because of high travel costs, Nigeria loses innovation, research output, and human‑capital growth.” Boluwatife Adedokun, executive director of CJAN, added that the new year should mark a shift from ad‑hoc interventions to long‑term policy solutions.
CJAN and ASSW expressed concern over the Tax Reform Act 2025, which takes effect in January 2026 and removes previous exemptions on aircraft, spare parts, and airline tickets, making them subject to value‑added tax and other duties. Industry analysts have warned that the changes could further increase operating costs for airlines and translate into higher fares for passengers.
The groups are urging the federal government, the Ministry of Aviation, and airline operators to reassess aviation taxes and levies, engage stakeholders to balance revenue generation with affordability, and introduce structured student‑fare programs supported by clear policy incentives. By easing the tax and operational burden on airlines, they believe student mobility can be expanded, access to education and research opportunities strengthened, and Nigeria’s human‑capital development and global competitiveness enhanced.
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