Nigeria’s aviation sector faced numerous challenges in 2025, including rising airfares, regulatory issues, and infrastructure problems. The surge in ticket prices made air travel less accessible to ordinary Nigerians; one‑way tickets on certain domestic routes rose by about 150 % during the festive season, exceeding N300,000.
Incidents of airport violence also made headlines. Prominent cases involved popular musician Wasiu Ayinde and serving senator Adams Oshiomhole. A female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, confronted airport workers and Ibom Air staff, leading to a violent episode. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, intervened, and the passenger was later released from a correctional facility.
The government’s plan to concession major airports drew criticism from aviation unions, which argued that the draft concession agreements failed to protect workers’ interests. Unions voiced concerns about job security and entitlements, citing delayed payment of retirees’ benefits as a major issue.
In response to growing concerns about airport infrastructure, the Federal Government approved N712 billion for the refurbishment of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The project, which includes replacing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, is slated to take 25 months, although industry insiders doubt the feasibility of that timeline.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) resolved a dispute between domestic airlines and ground‑handling companies over a planned increase in service charges. The parties agreed to a 15 % reduction in the new safety‑threshold handling rates, though the issue may not be fully settled.
On a positive note, Air Peace received a dry‑leased aircraft in November, marking the first time a Nigerian airline has accessed a dry lease in nearly a decade. This acquisition is expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Overall, Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to grapple with infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory challenges, and worker‑welfare concerns. Nevertheless, efforts to address these problems and enhance industry efficiency are underway, offering the potential to improve the air travel experience for passengers.
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