Amid rising controversy over the variety of taxes and levies paid by native airways to the federal authorities, the Nationwide Affiliation of Nigerian Journey Brokers (NANTA) has known as on the federal government to analyse and clearly interpret the varied costs imposed inside Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The decision follows current claims by the manager chairman of United Nigeria Airways, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, who acknowledged that behind each flight ticket bought by travellers, whether or not to Lagos, Abuja or Enugu, lies a hidden burden of as many as 18 totally different taxes and costs.
Prof. Okonkwo additional argued {that a} discount within the tax burden might considerably decrease airfares throughout the nation.
“With the assistance of the Nationwide Meeting… if the federal government reduces these taxes, ticket costs will mechanically drop. Air journey will grow to be reasonably priced to all.”
Nevertheless, the declare instantly drew a rebuttal from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) because the director of Public Affairs and Shopper Safety, Michael Achimugu, dismissed the assertion, describing it as ‘false and deceptive’.
“Any home airline that claims they pay 18 taxes is mendacity. I’ve addressed this on nationwide tv, main information platforms, and by way of my X deal with. I invited all home airways and requested them straight about these taxes, they usually all admitted they don’t pay the figures being bandied round,” Achimugu stated.
Reacting to the controversy throughout Villa Sq., a radio programme on Mainland FM, Lagos, themed “The True Image of Taxes in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector: Info, Figures and Influence: Debate Pushed,” the nationwide president of NANTA, Dr Yinka Folami, stated the declare of 18 taxes was new to the affiliation and required cautious examination.
In line with him, there’s an pressing want for readability in order that each business stakeholders and the travelling public can perceive precisely what’s paid or collected on each ticket issued.
Folami burdened that taxes and levies within the sector have to be correctly damaged down and defined.
“I’m not saying the numbers are usually not true, however the assertion is new to us; therefore, the assertion of 18 taxes ought to be deconstructed. We have to deconstruct these taxes to know who paid or collected what.”
He additional famous that an equity-driven aviation ecosystem have to be constructed on transparency and correct knowledge, particularly given the skilled expertise of practitioners inside the business.
“There’s a want for an equity-driven aviation ecosystem as 18 taxes on one native ticket conflicts with our practitioner coaching and gross sales expertise. The assertion is from a revered place and deserves critical appraisal and wishes enquiry and deconstruction,” he acknowledged. Folami, nonetheless, cautioned in opposition to attributing the persistent rise in home airfares solely to authorities taxes, noting that ticket costs have fluctuated considerably even when taxes and gasoline prices remained unchanged.
“Authorities taxes didn’t change in December, so why was a one-way ticket to Abuja N155,000 in June, N350,000 in December, and N125,000 in mid-January and February 2026. Authorities taxes didn’t change, nor did jet gasoline.”
Relating to regulatory oversight, the NANTA president acknowledged that the involvement of the Federal Competitors and Shopper Safety Fee (FCCPC) shouldn’t be misconstrued as hostile or punitive.
“For overwhelming Shopper consideration, we suggest that FCCPC ought to step in, and the aim ought to by no means be seen as malicious. The aim is for equity to the Nigerian Travellers and to forestall gouging.”
