The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced a new $11.50 levy on all international flight tickets issued in the country, effective December 1, 2025.
According to the circular released in late October and confirmed by the NCAA, the charge will fund the rollout of an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), a centralised border data platform designed to speed up immigration checks and strengthen national security at Nigeria’s airports.
The aviation regulator said the new system will allow passenger information to be transmitted electronically to border agencies before arrival or departure, helping reduce delays and improve coordination between the Nigeria Immigration Service and aviation authorities.
Under the directive, the $11.50 fee will apply to all tickets issued for international departures and arrivals from Nigerian airports, while airlines will collect and remit the charge directly to the NCAA.
Travellers exempted include infants, airline crew on duty, accredited diplomats, passengers transiting within 24 hours, and those rerouted for operational or weather-related reasons.
The NCAA said the policy was consistent with global standards, explaining that several advanced economies already operate APIS frameworks to manage traveller data and enhance aviation security.
“This system will significantly improve border management, passenger screening, and overall efficiency across Nigerian airports,” an NCAA spokesperson said in a statement.
Industry analysts, however, questioned the timing of the levy, which comes just weeks before the peak holiday travel season.
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They warned that the additional charge could further raise ticket prices already burdened by currency pressures and high operating costs.
Aviation experts estimate that the levy could generate around $46 million annually, funds the NCAA says will be reinvested in aviation data infrastructure and system maintenance.
While some stakeholders welcome the move as a step toward modernising Nigeria’s aviation sector, others argue that the growing list of ticket surcharges, including security and passenger service fees continues to make international air travel from Nigeria among the most expensive in Africa.
The NCAA insists the initiative will ultimately improve the passenger experience and reduce airport congestion once the APIS platform becomes fully operational.