The Federal Government has announced plans to stop foreign airlines operating in Nigeria from selling flight tickets in United States dollars, a move aimed at strengthening the naira and ensuring fairness within the nation’s aviation sector.
President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Yinka Folami, confirmed the development during a media briefing in Lagos, saying the government was finalising modalities to enforce the directive through the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Folami described the sale of flight tickets in dollars as “an economic injustice” that undermines Nigeria’s currency and excludes a large percentage of travel agents from the market.
“Selling tickets in dollars is a crime against the Nigerian economy,” he said. “About 70 per cent of NANTA-certified travel agents are excluded from direct trade because they operate strictly in naira. This practice cannot continue.”
He explained that the policy would compel airlines to price and sell tickets in the local currency, in line with existing financial regulations, adding that such a move would restore balance and accessibility for Nigerian consumers.
According to Folami, the government’s decision comes amid improved foreign exchange liquidity and stabilisation of the naira, which he said have removed any justification for dollar ticketing.
He also called on Nigerians to support indigenous carriers such as Air Peace, noting that strengthening local airlines would further reduce the dominance of foreign operators.
“Air Peace’s entry into major international routes like Lagos-London and Abuja-London shows that Nigerian airlines can compete favourably. Supporting them will grow our economy and create jobs,” Folami added.
Aviation analysts have described the policy as a welcome step toward currency sovereignty but warned that foreign airlines may face conversion and repatriation challenges once the directive takes effect.
The Federal Government is expected to release an official circular specifying the implementation timeline in the coming weeks.
Written By:Subair Damilare Adebayo
