Within the high-stakes theatre of worldwide aviation, Nigeria has lengthy been a number one actor, offering probably the most profitable hubs for worldwide carriers in Africa. But, a troubling subtext has emerged in our hangars: the rising insistence by some international airways to cost and promote tickets completely in US {Dollars}. As we navigate the second quarter of 2026, this observe has moved past a “momentary hedge” to a direct affront to Nigeria’s financial sovereignty and the integrity of the Central {Bank} of Nigeria, CBN, Act.
The argument for dollar-denominated fares was traditionally anchored within the “trapped funds” disaster, particularly the bruising 2023 expeaarience. Nevertheless, that narrative has misplaced its wings. With the CBN having efficiently cleared the $850 million backlog and established extra predictable repatriation channels, the continued rejection of the Naira for flights originating inside our borders is now not a survival tactic—it’s a selection. It’s a selection that treats Nigeria not as a sovereign accomplice, however as a frontier outpost the place the native authorized tender is merely a suggestion, which is unacceptable.
When an airline calls for {dollars} from a passenger in Lagos or Abuja, they’re successfully imposing the chance of alternate fee volatility on to the Nigerian client. For the civil servant, the entrepreneur, or the coed, this creates a “shadow inflation” that makes worldwide mobility a shifting goal.
Moreover, it creates a distorted, two-tier market the place native carriers—certain by regulation to commerce in Naira—are compelled to compete on an uneven enjoying discipline towards world giants holding laborious forex reserves.
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In strong economies like the UK, South Africa, or Kenya, international carriers wouldn’t dream of demanding something aside from the Pound, Rand, or Shilling for native departures. Why then is Nigeria the exception? The Nationwide Affiliation of Nigeria Journey Companies, NANTA, has rightly known as this observe “disrespectful,” and they’re right. To permit exclusion of the Naira is to decrease our standing within the world {financial} ecosystem.
The treatment requires extra than simply “encouragement.” The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, should pivot from oversight to enforcement. Compliance with native forex legal guidelines ought to be a non-negotiable situation for market entry. For those who fly our skies and use our terminals, you should use our forex.
Nevertheless, enforcement should be met with effectivity. Authorities should make sure that the “balanced method” advocated by stakeholders stays a actuality—guaranteeing that after the Naira is collected, airways have seamless, clear speedy entry to international alternate for repatriation.
Pricing in Naira shouldn’t be about protectionism; it’s coverage consistency. It’s time to floor the dollar-only period and make sure that within the Nigerian skies, the Naira stays the one authorized tender that actually flies.
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