Nigeria emerges Africa’s 4th largest aviation market, passenger traffic surges 11.9%

…18.8 million passengers recorded in 2025

…FAAN boss outlines growth as seat capacity surges 37.4%

Nigeria’s aviation sector has recorded significant growth, emerging as Africa’s fourth-largest market after processing over 18.8 million domestic and international passengers in 2025. This figure represents an 11.9% year-on-year increase.

Speaking at the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, themed “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” the Vice-President of Airport Council International (ACI) Africa and Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, outlined the continent’s aviation trajectory while highlighting key infrastructure developments.

Citing data from the Official Aviation Guide (OAG), Onabanjo-Kuku revealed that scheduled airline capacity in Nigeria reached 1.19 million seats in September 2026, a 37.4% surge from the same period in 2025. This growth rate makes Nigeria Africa’s fastest-expanding major aviation market.

A key driver of this growth is Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), which is currently undergoing terminal rehabilitation and modernisation.

MMIA recorded a 24.1% increase in scheduled seat capacity in September, leading performance among Africa’s top ten busiest hubs.

“This is driven by currency reforms, new aircraft leasing agreements, and growing confidence from international carriers looking to fly to Nigeria,” Onabanjo-Kuku said, adding that several airlines have resumed operations in the country under the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

“These figures are not abstract. They represent millions of Africans connecting with family, doing business, accessing healthcare, and exploring opportunities. They represent livelihoods, economic growth, and the future we are building together,” she said.

However, Onabanjo-Kuku stressed that market size alone does not resolve systemic operational hurdles. While Africa accounts for 18% of the world’s population, it generates just 1% of global air traffic.

 Furthermore, passenger load factors remain below global averages, and airline financial stability remains vulnerable across the continent.

Despite these headwinds, recent figures show sustained momentum. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates African airlines posted a 6.4% year-on-year rise in international passenger demand in July 2026, contrasting with a 0.1% decline globally.

Overall passenger demand in Africa grew by 5.2%, trailing only Latin America and the Caribbean, and significantly outpacing the global benchmark of 0.2%.

“While global international demand actually declined… Africa was expanding. We are not just participating in global aviation recovery; we are leading it,” Onabanjo-Kuku noted.

In Nigeria, a market of over 220 million people, annual traffic across 28 airports stands at approximately 19.5 million passengers.

Onabanjo-Kuku observed that while this highlights substantial growth opportunities, a considerable gap remains between current capacity and market potential.

To address these deficits, FAAN has pursued operational reforms since 2023 focused on safety, efficiency, and infrastructure.

Key initiatives include major runway overhauls at MMIA, terminal upgrades, improved airfield lighting, and the rollout of the Passenger Experience Hub to streamline airport processing.

On human capital, FAAN has certified over 3,500 personnel through International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and ACI training programs, alongside structural changes to its Directorate of Cargo Development Services to bolster trade throughput.

Looking ahead, Onabanjo-Kuku urged a shift toward public-private collaboration, emphasising that government funding alone is insufficient to meet the industry’s infrastructure demands.

“We have rehabilitated a major runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, upgraded terminals, and improved airfield lighting while maintaining operations. We have focused on the fundamentals: safe runways, functional terminals, and reliable systems. On passenger experience, we have established the Passenger Experience Hub, a dedicated initiative to make speed, predictability, comfort, and human assistance central to our operations.”

“Nigerian airports must become commercial ecosystems—anchors for logistics parks, hospitality, retail, data-driven services, and airport-city development,” she said, calling for structured partnerships with private investors, airlines, logistics firms, and development finance institutions.”

Wole Shadare