Nigeria's air passenger traffic has seen a significant increase, with 18.8 million domestic and international passengers recorded in 2025. This represents an 11.9% year-on-year increase, according to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku. The growth underscores Nigeria's growing importance in the African aviation market, making it the fourth-largest market on the continent.
Onabanjo-Kuku revealed the figure while delivering her welcome address at the ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Abuja. The conference, themed "Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience," brought together airport executives, aviation regulators, financiers, technology providers, and other industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. The theme reflects an urgent need for African aviation stakeholders to prepare the continent's airports for a rapidly changing industry.
According to Onabanjo-Kuku, the growth in Nigeria's aviation market is driven by increased scheduled airline capacity and renewed interest from international carriers. The 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% increase. Nigeria's total scheduled airline capacity for the month stood at 1.19 million seats, representing a 37.4% increase over the corresponding period of the previous year.
Onabanjo-Kuku attributed the expansion partly to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements, and increased confidence among international airlines. She also noted that since the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development took office, several airlines have resumed operations in Nigeria, and more are expected soon. The growth in passenger traffic has a human dimension, representing millions of Africans connecting with family, doing business, accessing healthcare, and exploring opportunities.
However, industry expert Samuel Caulcrick noted that domestic airlines are not benefiting from the year-on-year increase in passenger traffic. He argued that increased traffic alone would mean little if Nigerian airlines remained commercially disadvantaged against foreign carriers. Caulcrick identified the fundamental problem as the cost of capital available to competing airlines, which puts Nigerian airlines at a disadvantage.
Onabanjo-Kuku cautioned against interpreting rising passenger numbers as evidence that Africa's aviation problems have been solved. Despite its huge population, Africa still accounts for only about one percent of global air traffic. In Nigeria alone, with a population exceeding 220 million, approximately 19.5 million passengers are recorded annually across 28 airports. The potential is vast, but the gap between where Nigeria is and where it could be remains substantial.
To address the challenges facing the aviation industry, FAAN has concentrated on the basics such as safety, capacity, and infrastructure while pursuing digital transformation. The authority has focused on safe runways, functional terminals, and reliable systems, and has achieved ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. FAAN is also deploying digital systems, including faster check-in processes, automated e-passport gates, enhanced security systems, and passenger-data analytics.
Key points
- Nigeria recorded 18.8 million domestic and international air passengers in 2025, a 11.9% year-on-year increase.
- The growth in Nigeria's aviation market is driven by increased scheduled airline capacity and renewed interest from international carriers.
- Despite the growth, Africa still accounts for only about one percent of global air traffic.
