Nigeria Eyes 25.7 Million Air Passengers by 2029

Nigeria’s aviation sector is expected to handle 25.7 million passengers by 2029, up from 15.89 million recorded in 2023, according to projections by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The projection, disclosed during the inaugural Nigerian International Airshow in Abuja, also estimates annual aviation-sector revenue rising to US$2.58 billion by 2029.

According to Bola Ahmed Tinubu who announced the forecast at the airshow the growth will be supported by wide-ranging investments in airport infrastructure upgrades, including a ₦712 billion refurbishment of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and upgrades to multiple runways nationwide.

Tinubu also revealed government plans to establish domestic aircraft-component manufacturing and state-of-the-art maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities part of a broader strategy to position Nigeria as the aviation hub of West and Central Africa.

Officials said the 2029 target reflects both rising demand for domestic and international travel and improvements in regulatory compliance and capacity, signalling a new phase of growth and transformation for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola