Nigeria recorded more than 18.8 million domestic and international air passengers in 2025, representing an 11.9% increase from the previous year and placing the country among Africa’s largest aviation markets, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku disclosed the figure at the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, where she said Nigeria’s aviation market ranked fourth-largest in Africa based on the 2025 passenger figure.
The latest figures come as airline capacity in Nigeria is also expanding. According to data from the Official Aviation Guide cited by FAAN, scheduled airline capacity reached about 1.19 million seats in September 2026, a 37.4% increase compared with the same month in 2025.
Passenger traffic rises 11.9%
The more than 18.8 million passenger movements recorded in 2025 represented an 11.9% year-on-year increase, according to FAAN.
The figure covers both domestic and international passenger movements through Nigeria’s airports. It does not mean that 18.8 million individual people each made a single journey, because passenger traffic statistics can include multiple journeys by the same traveller.
FAAN presented the increase as evidence of expanding demand for air transportation in Nigeria.
The development also comes as airlines have increased capacity and some international carriers have resumed or expanded operations in the Nigerian market.
Nigeria’s scheduled capacity reaches 1.19 million seats
FAAN said Nigeria’s scheduled airline capacity reached approximately 1.19 million seats in September 2026.
The figure was 37.4% higher than the corresponding period in 2025, based on Official Aviation Guide data cited by Onabanjo-Kuku.
The increase in scheduled seats indicates that airlines are making more capacity available, although scheduled capacity should not be confused with passengers actually carried.
Seat capacity can rise because airlines deploy larger aircraft, add frequencies or introduce additional routes. Actual passenger traffic depends on how many of those available seats are occupied.
FAAN attributed the expansion partly to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and increased confidence among international carriers operating in Nigeria.
Lagos airport records strong capacity growth
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has also recorded significant growth in scheduled capacity.
FAAN said the airport recorded a 24.1% increase in scheduled seat capacity in September 2026, making it the fastest-growing among Africa’s 10 largest airports during the period, according to the data cited by the agency.
The airport is undergoing infrastructure rehabilitation and modernisation, including work aimed at improving terminal and runway facilities.
Lagos remains an important gateway for Nigeria’s international aviation market, while domestic airports connect the country’s major commercial and population centres.
Domestic travel remains a major part of the market
Domestic aviation accounts for a substantial share of Nigeria’s passenger traffic.
Separate 2025 figures reported from FAAN data put domestic passenger traffic at approximately 13.09 million, meaning domestic travel represented close to three-quarters of total passenger movements during the year.
This makes domestic routes particularly important to the financial health of Nigerian airlines and the wider aviation ecosystem.
Domestic air travel connects major economic centres such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and other cities, providing an alternative to long-distance road transportation.
However, demand remains sensitive to airfares, household purchasing power, aircraft availability and operating costs.
Africa’s aviation market is also expanding
Nigeria’s growth is occurring within a wider expansion of African air travel.
Onabanjo-Kuku cited International Air Transport Association data showing that African airlines recorded a 6.4% year-on-year increase in international passenger demand in July 2026.
Overall passenger demand across Africa increased by 5.2% during the month, while global international passenger demand declined by 0.1%, according to the figures she presented.
Despite the growth, Africa remains a relatively small participant in global aviation compared with its population.
FAAN said Africa accounts for about 18% of the world’s population but generates approximately 1% of global air traffic.
The figures point to significant room for expansion, but also highlight the infrastructure and affordability challenges facing the continent’s aviation sector.
Nigeria still has infrastructure challenges
The increase in passenger traffic does not eliminate the structural challenges facing Nigerian aviation.
FAAN has identified infrastructure requirements, financing constraints, operating costs, airport connectivity and the need to maintain affordable charges while improving facilities as continuing issues for the industry.
The authority has been undertaking infrastructure projects at airports, including runway rehabilitation, terminal improvements and upgrades to airfield lighting.
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport, rehabilitation work has been carried out while airport operations continue.
FAAN has also highlighted improvements in passenger processing and the development of its Passenger Experience Hub as part of efforts to improve the airport experience.
FAAN pushes airport modernisation
FAAN’s current strategy extends beyond simply increasing passenger numbers.
The authority says Nigerian airports need to operate as broader economic infrastructure capable of supporting logistics, hospitality, retail, data-driven services and other commercial activities.
Onabanjo-Kuku has also called for greater public-private cooperation because government funding alone may not be sufficient to meet the infrastructure requirements of a growing aviation market.
The approach is intended to position airports as economic centres rather than facilities used only for aircraft arrivals and departures.
Training and operational improvements
FAAN said it has also invested in human-capital development.
More than 3,500 personnel have been trained and certified through programmes associated with the International Civil Aviation Organization and Airports Council International, according to the agency.
The authority has also reported improvements involving airport systems, passenger processing and other operational areas.
These measures are intended to support the increasing volume of passengers while maintaining safety and service standards.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority separately maintains responsibility for aviation regulation and publishes passenger and aircraft traffic statistics based on airline records, passenger manifests and other industry data.
Airline growth brings opportunities and pressures
More passengers and additional airline capacity can create opportunities for airports, airlines, travel companies, hotels, logistics businesses and other parts of the aviation value chain.
But higher capacity also places additional demands on airport infrastructure and operational systems.
Airlines must maintain aircraft, manage fuel and other operating costs, secure foreign exchange for international obligations and keep fares competitive enough to attract passengers.
The combination of rising passenger demand and higher operating costs therefore creates a mixed picture for the industry.
Passenger growth can strengthen the market, but it does not automatically translate into stronger profitability for individual airlines.
Nigeria’s aviation market still has room to expand
FAAN estimates that Nigeria handles approximately 19.5 million passenger movements annually across 28 airports, highlighting the scale of the country’s existing aviation network.
The authority says the difference between current traffic levels and Nigeria’s potential market remains substantial.
With a large population, major commercial centres and growing regional and international connections, the country has several factors that could support additional aviation demand.
However, future growth will depend on infrastructure, airline financial sustainability, passenger affordability, airport efficiency and the wider economic environment.
What the 18.8 million figure means
The 18.8 million figure provides a measure of the size of Nigeria’s aviation market, but it should not be interpreted as the number of unique air travellers in the country.
It represents passenger movements recorded through domestic and international air services during 2025.
The accompanying rise in scheduled seat capacity during 2026 suggests airlines are currently providing more capacity, while the strong growth recorded at Lagos’ international airport points to continued expansion in one of the country’s most important aviation gateways.
For Nigeria, the challenge will be to convert increased demand and airline capacity into a sustainable aviation system with reliable infrastructure, competitive services and safe passenger operations.
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