The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, along with key stakeholders in the sector, for urgent discussions following public outrage over the sharp rise in domestic airfares.
The resolution followed a motion raised on the Senate floor by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, who warned that soaring ticket prices threaten mobility and could cause nationwide travel disruptions in the coming days.
Leading the debate, Senator Buhari highlighted that Nigerians have voiced frustration in recent months as domestic flight costs continue to climb. He noted that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now ranges between N400,000 and N600,000, an amount beyond the reach of many citizens.
The lawmaker from Oyo State stressed that the situation is particularly concerning given rising insecurity and difficulties 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 expressed similar concerns. Senator Adamu Aliero described the fare increase as unacceptable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi condemned what he called an “unheard-of 400 percent increment.” Nwebonyi also criticized the long-delayed establishment of a national carrier, urging Keyamo to act decisively.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan added that airline operators, who have already received several concessions including reductions on spare part costs must be held accountable for the fare hikes.
Senator Orji Kalu attempted to justify the increases, citing rising operational costs and the soaring price of spare parts, but his explanation was met with strong disapproval from fellow lawmakers.
The Senate agreed that Keyamo, airline operators, regulators, and other industry stakeholders must appear before the relevant committees this week to explain the fare increases and propose immediate measures to stabilize prices ahead of the holiday season.
