Nigeria’s Aviation Market Expands 11.9% to 18.8 million Passengers

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s aviation sector has emerged as Africa’s fourth-largest market after processing more than 18.8 million domestic and international passengers in 2025, representing an 11.9 per cent year-on-year increase.

The growth was disclosed by the Vice-President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa and Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, at the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Abuja.

The conference, themed Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience, brought together industry stakeholders to examine the development and future of Africa’s aviation sector.

Citing data from the Official Aviation Guide (OAG), Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku said scheduled airline capacity in Nigeria reached 1.19 million seats in September 2026, representing a 37.4 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

According to her, the growth makes Nigeria the fastest-expanding major aviation market in Africa during the period.

Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) has been a major contributor to the expansion, with the airport currently undergoing terminal rehabilitation and modernisation.

MMIA recorded a 24.1 per cent increase in scheduled seat capacity in September, the highest growth among Africa’s 10 busiest aviation hubs.

Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku attributed the expansion to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing agreements and increased confidence among international airlines seeking to operate in Nigeria.

“This is driven by currency reforms, new aircraft leasing agreements, and growing confidence from international carriers looking to fly to Nigeria,” she said.

She added that several airlines had resumed operations in Nigeria under the leadership of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku said the increase in passenger traffic represented more than statistical growth, noting that air travel supports family connections, business activities, healthcare access and economic opportunities across the continent.

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

“They represent livelihoods, economic growth, and the future we are building together.”

However, she cautioned that the expansion in market size had not eliminated the structural and operational challenges facing Africa’s aviation industry.

She noted that despite Africa accounting for about 18 per cent of the global population, the continent generates only one per cent of global air traffic, highlighting the significant room for further growth and development in the sector.