Obiorah Okonkwo, executive chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, has issued a passionate plea to the National Assembly to overhaul the crippling web of taxes burdening Nigeria's aviation sector, warning that it could slash domestic airfares by up to 70%.
Delivering his remarks at the launch of commercial flights from Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport, Okonkwo highlighted how 18 separate levies imposed by various government agencies devour a massive chunk of every ticket sale, fueling the skyrocketing costs that are pricing out everyday Nigerians.
"Buy early for the best rates, but more importantly, let's pray the National Assembly steps in," Okonkwo advised passengers.
"These 18 taxes mean about 70% of your ticket price goes straight to government pockets. If lawmakers reduce these legislative burdens, we'll pass the savings on making flights truly affordable for all."
The call comes amid a national outcry over soaring airfares, with the Senate summoning Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and industry leaders for an emergency briefing.
The motion, spearheaded by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), decried the price hikes as a threat to mobility, especially with the Christmas rush looming.
Keyamo, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, pinned the blame on a chronic shortage of aircraft and inadequate maintenance facilities, which have left carriers scrambling amid global supply chain woes.
Adding regional momentum, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced a bold ban on air ticket taxes across the subregion starting January 2026.
The move, aimed at slashing fares and boosting intra-African travel, explicitly targets the "government taxes and aviation charges" that ECOWAS says are the primary culprits behind unaffordable skies.
United Nigeria Airlines, known for its push into underserved routes, joins a chorus of domestic carriers demanding relief.
As Nigeria's aviation market rebounds post-pandemic, stakeholders hope these interventions will democratize the skies, turning high-flying dreams into accessible reality for millions.
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