Travel Agents Seek Review Of Aviation Taxes Amid ‘18 Levies’ Dispute

Amid growing controversy over the number of taxes and levies paid by local airlines to the federal government, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) has called on the government to analyse and clearly interpret the various charges imposed within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The call follows recent claims by the executive chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, who stated that behind every flight ticket purchased by travellers, whether to Lagos, Abuja or Enugu, lies a hidden burden of as many as 18 different taxes and charges.

Prof. Okonkwo further argued that a reduction in the tax burden could significantly lower airfares across the country.

“With the help of the National Assembly… if the government reduces these taxes, ticket prices will automatically drop. Air travel will become affordable to all.”

However, the claim immediately drew a rebuttal from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as the director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, dismissed the assertion, describing it as ‘false and misleading’.

“Any domestic airline that says they pay 18 taxes is lying. I have addressed this on national television, major news platforms, and via my X handle. I invited all domestic airlines and asked them directly about these taxes, and they all admitted they do not pay the figures being bandied around,” Achimugu said.

Reacting to the controversy during Villa Square, a radio programme on Mainland FM, Lagos, themed “The True Picture of Taxes in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector: Facts, Figures and Impact: Debate Driven,” the national president of NANTA, Dr Yinka Folami, said the claim of 18 taxes was new to the association and required careful examination.

According to him, there is an urgent need for clarity so that both industry stakeholders and the travelling public can understand exactly what is paid or collected on every ticket issued.

Folami stressed that taxes and levies in the sector must be properly broken down and explained.

“I am not saying the numbers are not true, but the assertion is new to us; hence, the assertion of 18 taxes should be deconstructed. We need to deconstruct these taxes to know who paid or collected what.”

He further noted that an equity-driven aviation ecosystem must be built on transparency and accurate data, especially given the professional experience of practitioners within the industry.

“There is a need for an equity-driven aviation ecosystem as 18 taxes on one local ticket conflicts with our practitioner training and sales experience. The assertion is from a respected place and deserves serious appraisal and needs enquiry and deconstruction,” he stated. Folami, however, cautioned against attributing the persistent rise in domestic airfares solely to government taxes, noting that ticket prices have fluctuated significantly even when taxes and fuel costs remained unchanged.

“Government 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. Government taxes did not change, nor did jet fuel.”

Regarding regulatory oversight, the NANTA president stated that the involvement of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) should not be misconstrued as hostile or punitive.

“For overwhelming Consumer consideration, we recommend that FCCPC should step in, and the purpose should never be seen as malicious. The purpose is for fairness to the Nigerian Travellers and to prevent gouging.”