The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has disclosed that the controversial $11.50 charge scheduled to take effect on December 1 originated from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) but was announced and set to be implemented by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The association criticised the new levy as an added strain on an already distressed aviation sector, saying it ultimately burdens operators even if the cost is passed on to passengers.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, AON spokesperson and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, expressed deep concern over what he described as an ever-increasing list of charges imposed on carriers. He warned that the new fee was unnecessary, poorly coordinated, and detrimental to the industry’s overall health.
Okonkwo said domestic airlines are being weakened by multiple taxes, levies, and regulatory fees from different government agencies, stressing that operators “pay for everything aviation agencies do.” He added that the $11.50 charge reflected ongoing policy inconsistency and inadequate inter-agency communication.
Citing previous charges, he said:
“Aviation has turned into an elephant where a lot of people are feeding, while the operators do the work. First, it was $20 for security—yet no one could point to the security provided. Now $11.50 is coming from immigration. If you recall the controversy over the earlier $20 charge, they collected the money for years and simply kept it in one account. When a new government came and found the funds, it used them for renovations and welfare. That is collecting money under false pretence.”
Questioning the role of the NIS, Okonkwo noted that the agency had cited “passenger profiling” as justification for the $11.50 fee, which applies to international travellers. He asked whether the cost was comparable to similar charges in other countries and what specific security services immigration provides in this context.
He cautioned that the cumulative effect of multiple charges will lead to higher ticket prices and make Nigeria less attractive as an international aviation hub.
Okonkwo again appealed to the government to support the sector, insisting that a strong aviation industry is essential for national development. He stressed the need for single-digit interest loans for operators, arguing that President Bola Tinubu’s goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy would be unattainable without a thriving aviation sector.
“We are competing with international airlines that have access to low-interest credit and government backing. For Nigeria to achieve its economic ambitions, aviation must be supported,” he said.
When contacted for clarification, the NIS National Spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, said he would verify the information and respond, but no feedback was received before press time. Calls placed to him afterwards were also not answered.
