Airlines Under Fire for Refusing Naira Payments

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has condemned the decision of three international airlines to continue selling tickets exclusively in United States dollars, describing the practice as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and damaging to the naira.

NANTA President, Yinka Folarin, criticised what he termed an arrogant stance by a few foreign carriers who have refused to reintroduce the naira into their ticketing platforms despite improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

According to him, while most airlines have embraced the use of the local currency, a handful are deliberately sidelining it. “It is no longer a general industry problem. Only about three airlines are still selling exclusively in dollars. We are not allowed to name them due to professional ethics and anti-competition rules, but their actions are clear: they are punishing the naira, excluding it from trade within its own country,” Folarin said.

He emphasised that the issue goes beyond aviation, describing dollar-only ticketing as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s sovereignty. He added that the airlines’ actions were particularly concerning at a time when the naira is showing signs of stability following monetary reforms.

“There is no justifiable reason for this anymore; liquidity has improved, the process is more transparent, and there are no outstanding remittance issues. Over 30 airlines are currently repatriating funds without challenges. If those ones can comply, why are these three still operating otherwise? It’s simply arrogance,” he declared.

Folarin commended the Central Bank of Nigeria and other authorities for steps taken to improve transparency in the foreign exchange market, urging all stakeholders to align with the federal government’s economic recovery agenda. “We are not asking for favors, we are asking for fairness. The naira deserves to be respected in its own country,” he insisted.

Aviation expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd.), linked the controversy to unresolved concerns about trapped airline funds. He noted that if the government has fully settled the outstanding remittances owed to these carriers, then there is no justification for dollar-only ticketing in Nigeria.

“I am not sure if they have gotten their money. But if they have, the government should stop them immediately. I think this is happening because some people may be benefiting from it internally. That cannot stand if we are no longer owing them. It is wrong and must be corrected without delay,” Ojikutu said.

He acknowledged that airlines often pay service charges in dollars and may seek to recover costs in the same currency, but stressed that Nigeria must assert its sovereignty. “If a foreign airline continues to take dollars for ticket sales, it should be stopped and investigated,” he added.

Industry stakeholders say the continued rejection of the naira is more than a commercial dispute — it undermines Nigeria’s economic stability and independence. With over 30 airlines already transacting in naira, attention now rests on the few holdouts whose actions, they warn, risk reversing the progress made in restoring confidence in the local currency.