Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria ranked as Africa’s fourth-largest aviation market in 2025 after recording more than 18.8 million domestic and international air passengers, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said.
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Passenger traffic increased 11.9% from the previous year, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku said at the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.
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The increase underscores Nigeria’s position among the continent’s major air travel markets and comes as airlines expand capacity. Onabanjo-Kuku said the growth highlighted the need for continued investment in airport infrastructure and services to meet rising demand.
Nigeria’s scheduled airline capacity reached about 1.19 million seats in September 2026, up 37.4% from a year earlier, according to aviation data provider OAG. The figure represents available scheduled seats, not passengers carried.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos recorded a 24.1% year-on-year increase in scheduled seat capacity in September, according to OAG data. The increase came amid ongoing efforts to upgrade airport infrastructure and improve operational capacity.
Onabanjo-Kuku attributed the expansion in Nigeria’s aviation market to currency reforms, new aircraft-leasing arrangements and increased confidence among airlines operating in the country. She said several carriers had resumed operations in Nigeria, with more expected to return.
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The wider African aviation market has also recorded growth. African airlines posted a 6.4% year-on-year increase in international passenger demand in July 2026, while overall passenger demand in the region rose 5.2%, according to International Air Transport Association data cited by FAAN.
Onabanjo-Kuku said African aviation continued to face challenges, including infrastructure deficits, high operating costs, limited connectivity and financing constraints. Africa accounts for about 18% of the world’s population but only around 1% of global air traffic, she said.
The ACI Africa conference, themed “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience”, brings together airport operators, regulators, financiers, technology providers and other industry stakeholders to discuss infrastructure development, digital transformation and the resilience of Africa’s aviation sector.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
