The Nigerian Senate has called on the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, alongside major stakeholders in the aviation sector, for an urgent engagement following widespread public outrage over the sudden and steep escalation in domestic flight prices.
The move came after Senator Buhari Abdulfatai raised a motion on the Senate floor, warning that the escalating fares present a serious threat to national mobility and could potentially disrupt travel across the country in the coming days.
Senator Buhari highlighted that Nigerians have increasingly complained about the cost of domestic flights over recent months, pointing out that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now ranges between N400,000 and N600,000—a figure that many citizens can no longer afford.
During the debate, the lawmaker from Oyo State stressed that the situation is particularly concerning given the growing challenges and insecurity on major highways, which makes air travel a critical option for safe transportation.
He argued that stakeholders from airline agencies must be summoned to the Senate for a detailed interaction to scrutinize the underlying causes and implement immediate corrective measures ahead of the festive period.
Several other senators echoed similar apprehensions. Senator Adamu Aliero described the fare hike as unacceptable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi condemned what he termed a “400 percent increment” that is unprecedented in the sector. Nwebonyi also raised concerns over the long-delayed establishment of a national carrier, noting that Nigeria is overdue for such an initiative, and urged the Minister to take decisive action.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan added that airline operators have already benefited from multiple concessions, particularly concerning the cost of spare parts, and must therefore be held accountable for the recent price increases. In contrast, Senator Orji Kalu attempted to defend the fare adjustments, citing rising operational costs and the soaring prices of spare parts as contributing factors. His defense, however, was met with strong disapproval from several lawmakers.
The Senate concluded that Minister Keyamo, airline operators, regulators, and other industry stakeholders must appear before the relevant Senate committees within the week to explain the reasons behind the soaring fares.
The engagement aims to clarify the situation and outline an immediate plan to stabilize domestic air travel prices ahead of the holiday season, ensuring that Nigerians can access affordable and reliable flights.
What you should know
The Nigerian Senate has summoned Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and key stakeholders in the aviation sector following public outcry over drastic increases in domestic flight fares, with one-way tickets from Abuja to Lagos now ranging from N400,000 to N600,000.
Senators expressed concerns about the impact on national mobility, questioned the delayed establishment of a national carrier, and insisted that airline operators, regulators, and the Minister clarify the reasons for the fare hikes and propose measures to stabilize prices before the festive period.
