Government Cannot Intervene as Airfare Prices Skyrocket Says Aviation Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the federal government cannot directly intervene in the recent surge in domestic airfare prices, citing the full deregulation of the aviation sector. His comments come amid widespread public frustration as ticket prices have risen by over 400 percent in recent months.

The steep hike has sparked national concern, with many Nigerians lamenting that air travel is fast becoming unaffordable. Lawmakers have also weighed in, calling the increases excessive and exploitative. According to the Senate, the soaring fares are threatening to push air travel beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

In response to the growing outrage, the Senate has summoned Keyamo and major aviation industry stakeholders to appear before its relevant committee immediately. Lawmakers say the goal is to understand the reasons behind the drastic price adjustments and determine whether regulatory or legislative action is necessary to protect the public.

While the aviation industry operates under a deregulated system—giving airlines the autonomy to set their fares—many Nigerians believe the current situation requires urgent intervention to prevent further hardship on travelers who rely on air transport for business, emergencies, and long-distance mobility.