Senate Aviation Committee Chairman Alleges Deep Corruption in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, has described Nigeria’s aviation industry as “very dirty,” citing entrenched irregularities that he declined to disclose publicly.

Buhari made the remarks Thursday at the 59th anniversary celebration of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, held alongside its Annual General Meeting and Exhibition in Ibadan.

Drawing on approximately sixteen years of legislative oversight experience on the aviation committee, including his current role as chairman, Buhari told attendees that his prolonged exposure to the sector has uncovered troubling practices.

“A lot of the things I have seen cannot be said in public; it is dirty, it is very dirty,” Buhari stated, prompting murmurs from the audience.

The senator’s comments came in response to earlier remarks by International Air Transport Association Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Samson Fatoki, who had appealed for legislative protection for the aviation sector. Fatoki had argued that Nigerian aviation is less profitable than widely assumed and called for a more supportive regulatory environment.

Buhari, however, pivoted to a sharp critique of foreign carriers, accusing select international airlines of exploiting Nigerian travellers by denominating ticket sales exclusively in United States dollars.

“I will mention names. Look at Emirates, United Airlines, Delta, and I think one more. They charge in dollars to exploit Nigerians. NANTA should write to the National Assembly demanding that if other airlines charge in naira, these mentioned ones should do the same,” Buhari said.

He linked the practice directly to rising airfares. “This is the reason ticket prices are shooting up, but you never write because you too are making your percentage,” he added.

The senator urged industry stakeholders to prioritise national interest and collaborate on systemic reforms. “Let us try as much as possible to help this country. We in the aviation industry, let us help this country, and the only way is to collaborate,” he said.

Earlier in the session, Fatoki outlined the economic headwinds facing African aviation. He noted that the sector contributes approximately $2.5 billion, or 0.7 percent, to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product but requires deliberate legislative support to sustain and grow that contribution.

Fatoki warned that ongoing Middle East tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran have already disrupted global aviation projections for 2026, placing additional strain on carriers.

He detailed persistent cost disadvantages across the continent. According to Fatoki, Jet A1 fuel prices in Africa average 17 percent above global benchmarks, while taxes and charges are 12 to 15 percent higher. Air navigation charges exceed global averages by roughly 10 percent, and African carriers pay between six and 10 percent more for aircraft maintenance, insurance, and capital costs.

“Besides, as of today, African governments still hold back $954 million of blocked funds. All these factors contribute to higher air ticket prices in Africa compared to the rest of the world,” Fatoki stated.

He urged legislative intervention. “The National Assembly should take this up with the Nigerian Federal Government. We need to protect our carriers in Nigeria. The airlines are operating with a very thin profit margin,” Fatoki said.