Nigerians planning to travel abroad will soon pay more for international flights, as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) introduces a new US$11.5 security levy per passenger starting December 1, 2025. The additional fee, known as the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) charge, raises the total security levy to US$31.50 per ticket and is projected to generate about US$46 million yearly for the regulatory agency, according to a report by The Guardian.

The NCAA said the system would strengthen border security, help track passenger movements, and streamline data collection for the Nigerian Immigration Service. Airlines have been directed to update their ticketing systems to include the new levy on all inbound and outbound tickets from December.

However, this announcement has sparked fresh debate over the growing financial burden placed on Nigerian air travellers, who already face some of the highest ticket costs in Africa. With the naira’s sharp decline and inflation biting hard, many fear this latest addition will push air travel further out of reach for the average citizen.

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Industry experts have questioned the rationale behind making passengers pay for what should be a national security infrastructure. Aviation analyst Chris Amokwu told The Guardian that the policy reflects how the government continues to view aviation as elitist rather than an economic enabler. “These charges discourage travel and investment. Aviation should support growth, not add to hardship,” he said.

Passengers and industry operators have also expressed concern over transparency, given that a similar US$20 security levy introduced in 2010 remains in effect. Critics describe the new charge as double taxation, arguing that the NCAA has not shown clear improvements in airport infrastructure despite collecting billions over the years.

For many Nigerians, the impact is already visible. Some travellers now avoid flying altogether, choosing instead to go by road to neighbouring countries like Ghana or Benin Republic to board cheaper international flights. “People are doing what they must to save costs,” a staff member of a foreign airline told The Guardian. “The extra $11.5 may sound small, but it adds up quickly, especially when you consider all the other charges.”

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Nigerian passengers pay an average of US$180 per international trip in combined taxes, surcharges, and levies, about 264 percent higher than in most African countries. IATA has repeatedly criticised Nigeria’s aviation charges as excessive and counterproductive, noting that the UK and US operate similar APIS systems at no cost to passengers.

Although the NCAA insists that the levy aligns with global standards, many travellers remain unconvinced. With wages stagnant and the cost of living rising, the new fee feels like another weight on already strained shoulders.

Whether the system will deliver on its promise of improved security and efficiency remains to be seen, but for now, many Nigerians see it as one more reason flying feels like a luxury reserved for the few.

Meiza Nigeria