The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, alongside major players in the aviation sector, for an urgent interface following widespread public outrage over the sharp rise in domestic airfares across the country.
The decision followed a motion raised on Tuesday by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, who warned that the sudden spike in ticket prices poses a serious threat to nationwide mobility and could result in significant travel disruptions in the coming days.
Leading the debate, Senator Buhari lamented that Nigerians had been groaning under the burden of escalating domestic flight costs for months.
According to him, a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now sells for between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, a development he described as beyond the reach of many citizens.
He stressed that the situation is particularly worrisome given the rising insecurity and difficulty associated with travelling by road.
“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.
Senators Condemn 400% Fare Increase
Several lawmakers expressed similar concerns during the session. Senator Adamu Aliero described the steep fare increase as unacceptable, while Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi condemned what he termed an unprecedented 400 per cent increment.
Nwebonyi also criticised the prolonged delay in establishing a national carrier, insisting that Nigeria is long overdue for one and urging the aviation minister to “rise to the occasion.”
Senator Solomon Olamilekan argued that airline operators had already benefited from several concessions, including relief on spare parts costs, and should therefore be held responsible for the current fare escalation.
However, Senator Orji Kalu attempted to defend the airlines, citing rising operational expenses and the increasing cost of spare parts. His justification was met with strong disapproval from other lawmakers.
At the end of the deliberations, the Senate resolved that Keyamo, airline operators, regulators and other industry stakeholders must appear before its relevant committees this week to explain the reasons behind the soaring airfares.
The lawmakers stressed the need for immediate action to stabilise ticket prices ahead of the festive season.
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