Nigeria’s Air Passenger Traffic Climbs 11.9% to 18.8 Million in 2025

Nigeria recorded more than 18.8 million domestic and international air passengers in 2025, representing an 11.9 per cent increase compared with the previous year, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has disclosed.

The development has placed Nigeria as the fourth-largest aviation market in Africa, according to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku.

Onabanjo-Kuku disclosed the figures while delivering her welcome address at the 2026 Airports Council International Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, where she also serves as Vice-President of ACI Africa.

She said the growth reflected Nigeria’s increasing significance within the African aviation industry and pointed to rising airline capacity and renewed interest from international carriers.

“Our aviation market now ranks as the fourth-largest in Africa, with over 18.8 million domestic and international passengers recorded in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.9 per cent,” she said.

The conference, themed “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” brought together airport managers, aviation regulators, investors, technology companies and other industry stakeholders from Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Onabanjo-Kuku said the theme represented more than a conference slogan, describing it as a call for African aviation authorities and airport operators to prepare for rapid changes in the industry.

She cited recent industry figures showing continued growth in African aviation.

According to her, International Air Transport Association data showed that international passenger demand among African airlines increased by 6.4 per cent year-on-year in July 2026, while global demand declined by 0.1 per cent during the same period.

Overall passenger demand across Africa also rose by 5.2 per cent in July, she said.

“This is not a marginal improvement. This continent is on the move,” she stated.

Nigeria, she added, was contributing significantly to the regional expansion through increased scheduled airline capacity and renewed interest from foreign carriers.

The FAAN chief said Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recorded the fastest growth in scheduled seat capacity among Africa’s 10 largest airports in September, with a 24.1 per cent increase.

She further disclosed that Nigeria’s total scheduled airline capacity for the month stood at about 1.19 million seats, representing a 37.4 per cent increase compared with the same period in the previous year.

Onabanjo-Kuku attributed part of the expansion to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and growing confidence among international airlines operating in the Nigerian market.

She also noted that several airlines had resumed operations in Nigeria since the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, assumed office, with additional carriers expected to return.

However, she stressed that the increase in passenger traffic should not be viewed simply as a statistical achievement, noting that the figures represented people travelling for business, family, healthcare, tourism and other purposes.

“These figures are not abstract. They represent millions of Africans connecting with family, doing business, accessing healthcare, and exploring opportunities. They represent livelihoods. They represent economic growth,” she said.

Despite the increase in passenger numbers, aviation industry expert Samuel Caulcrick argued that Nigerian airlines were not necessarily benefiting from the growth in traffic.

Caulcrick said the major challenge facing domestic airlines was the cost of capital and their ability to compete with foreign carriers operating in the Nigerian market.

He argued that while local and foreign airlines were subject to similar airport charges, foreign carriers often had access to cheaper financing, giving them a significant commercial advantage.

Onabanjo-Kuku also cautioned against interpreting the rising passenger figures as evidence that Africa had overcome its aviation challenges.

She noted that despite the continent’s large population, Africa still accounts for only about one per cent of global air traffic.

“In Nigeria alone, with a population exceeding 220 million, we record approximately 19.5 million passengers annually across 28 airports. The potential is vast, but the gap between where we are and where we could be remains substantial,” she said.

She identified inadequate funding, infrastructure gaps, high operating costs, limited connectivity and the challenge of maintaining affordable airport charges while providing modern facilities as some of the major obstacles facing the industry.

Against this background, FAAN has continued to focus on airport safety, infrastructure development and capacity expansion while introducing digital systems aimed at improving passenger experience.

Onabanjo-Kuku said the authority had concentrated on improving runways, terminals and other essential airport facilities while also pursuing digital transformation.

She highlighted the rehabilitation of a major runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, terminal improvements and upgrades to airfield lighting, noting that the projects were being undertaken while airport operations continued.

FAAN is also introducing digital solutions, including faster check-in procedures, automated e-passport gates, improved security systems and passenger-data analytics.

The FAAN chief disclosed that the authority obtained ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications in January 2026, describing the achievement as evidence of its focus on quality management, environmental responsibility and continuous improvement.

She added that more than 3,500 FAAN employees had undergone training and certification through programmes organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and Airports Council International.

Also speaking at the conference, Keyamo said the airports of the future must be designed around resilience rather than simply physical expansion.

He said next-generation airports must be safe, efficient, financially sustainable, technologically advanced and environmentally responsible, while also having the capacity to withstand unexpected disruptions.

According to the minister, airports must be prepared for challenges including pandemics, geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, climate-related events, cyber threats and infrastructure failures.

“Resilience therefore cannot be an afterthought. It must be designed into our airports, our systems, our business models and our institutions,” he said.

Keyamo also stressed that technology should improve the passenger experience rather than make air travel more complicated.

He said the success of an airport should ultimately be measured by how safely, efficiently and comfortably it moves passengers through their journey.

The minister said the Federal Government was implementing reforms aimed at improving aviation safety, infrastructure, investment and connectivity.

He also cited Nigeria’s 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation score following the 2026 International Civil Aviation Organisation Coordinated Validation Mission.

Keyamo further highlighted the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of Terminal 1 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, describing the project as part of efforts to transform the country’s major international gateway into a modern, passenger-focused facility.

He said airports should be viewed not only as facilities for aircraft operations but also as important economic centres that create jobs, support tourism and logistics, attract investment, facilitate trade and connect businesses with markets.

The minister said the Federal Government was encouraging greater private-sector participation in airport infrastructure and services while supporting the development of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities, aircraft leasing, cargo infrastructure and other components of the aviation value chain.

He also called for stronger air connectivity between African countries, arguing that travellers should be able to move more easily between African cities rather than having to rely on connections through destinations outside the continent.

The developments come as Nigerian aviation authorities and industry stakeholders continue efforts to expand airport capacity, improve passenger services and strengthen the country’s position within the rapidly developing African aviation market.

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