ABUJA — The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has unveiled a new travel tax scheme that imposes an additional $11.50 levy on all international air tickets for inbound and outbound passengers, drawing sharp criticism from aviation stakeholders.
The charge, classified as a security fee, is part of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) initiative and will be added to the existing $20 security charge, bringing total security-related ticket fees to $31.50 per passenger.
According to the NCAA, the levy is designed to:
Enhance aviation security
Improve passenger data management
Align Nigeria’s systems with international standards
The fee will remain in effect for 20 years, with projected revenue exceeding $1 billion. Proceeds will be directed toward upgrading safety infrastructure and passenger profiling systems across Nigerian airports.
However, the announcement has sparked protests from:
Airline operators, who argue the fee could discourage international travel and hurt business
Travelers, who view the increase as excessive and poorly timed amid economic hardship
Consumer rights groups, who demand transparency and stakeholder consultation
Industry experts warn that the cumulative cost of travel taxes could make Nigerian airports less competitive and reduce passenger traffic. Some have called for a review of the policy and greater clarity on how the funds will be managed.
The NCAA has defended the move, stating that the APIS levy is critical for national security and data integration with global aviation networks.
