The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has strongly criticized the decision of a handful of foreign airlines still insisting on selling tickets in United States dollars within Nigeria, describing the practice as a slight to the nation’s sovereignty and a deliberate blow to the naira.
NANTA President, Yinka Folarin, condemned the move, stressing that while the aviation industry has largely returned to naira-based transactions following improvements in the foreign exchange market, three international carriers have refused to comply.
Folarin described the stance of these airlines as both arrogant and exploitative, warning that their actions amounted to sidelining the Nigerian currency in its own jurisdiction.
“This is no longer an industry-wide issue. Out of more than 30 airlines, only about three are still selling tickets exclusively in dollars. Out of professional ethics and in line with competition regulations, we cannot disclose their names. But their actions are clear—they are punishing the naira, and by extension, Nigeria,” he said.
The NANTA boss explained that the refusal to transact in naira runs contrary to the economic realities on ground, especially as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stabilized liquidity and cleared remittance backlogs that previously constrained the industry.
“Liquidity has improved, transparency is better, and there are no outstanding remittance challenges anymore. If over 30 airlines can repatriate their funds without difficulty, then there is no excuse for a few others to defy the system. This is sheer arrogance,” Folarin argued.
He insisted that NANTA’s position goes beyond professional advocacy, emphasizing that as a Nigerian, he is firmly against the dollarisation of domestic services. He urged aviation operators to respect the currency of their host country and support ongoing reforms.
“We are not seeking undue advantage. We are demanding fairness. The naira must be respected within Nigeria,” he added.
Supporting this view, aviation analyst and former Air Force officer, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd.), noted that the controversy may still be tied to historical issues over trapped airline funds.
“If the government has cleared all outstanding remittances, then there is no justification for these airlines to keep insisting on dollar-only sales. I fear this is happening because some people are benefitting internally. That should not be allowed. If they have been paid, government must stop this practice immediately,” Ojikutu warned.
He further explained that while airlines incur certain expenses in dollars, Nigeria retains the sovereign authority to determine how transactions are conducted within its territory.
“If they insist on dollar-only payments, government must step in, investigate, and correct it without delay,” he said.
The criticisms from NANTA and experts reflect growing frustration within Nigeria’s travel sector. Stakeholders argue that the refusal of a few airlines to accept naira transcends commercial interests, raising wider concerns about the country’s economic independence.
With most carriers already complying with local currency regulations, attention now rests on the handful of defiant operators whose practices, according to observers, threaten the progress made in stabilising the naira and restoring investor confidence.
