The Nigerian Senate has summoned Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and key industry stakeholders for urgent hearings following public outrage over the sharp rise in domestic airfares.
The resolution came after Senator Buhari Abdulfatai raised a motion on the Senate floor, warning that escalating ticket prices threaten mobility and could disrupt nationwide travel, especially ahead of the festive season.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Senator Buhari noted that Nigerians have been increasingly burdened by the rising cost of domestic flights.
He revealed that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now costs between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, putting air travel out of reach for many citizens. He stressed that the situation is particularly concerning given the growing insecurity and challenges on major highways.
“We need to invite stakeholders of our airline agencies to interact and interrogate the issues. Immediate steps must be taken before the festive period,” he said.
Other senators voiced similar concerns. Senator Adamu Aliero called the fare hikes unacceptable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi described a 400 percent increase as “unheard of” and criticized the long-delayed establishment of a national carrier, urging Minister Keyamo to take decisive action.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan noted that airline operators have already received multiple concessions—particularly on the cost of spare parts—and should therefore be held accountable for price surges.
Conversely, Senator Orji Kalu attempted to justify the increases, citing rising operational costs and the soaring price of spare parts, a defense that drew strong opposition from fellow lawmakers.
The Senate resolved that Minister Keyamo, airline operators, regulators, and other industry stakeholders must appear before relevant committees this week to explain the reasons behind the steep fares and to outline a plan for stabilizing prices before the holiday season.
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