Nigeria Aviation Market Hits 18.8M Passengers, Capacity Up 37.4%
Nigeria’s aviation sector is recording strong growth, with the country handling more than 18.8 million domestic and international passengers in 2025, while scheduled airline capacity has increased by 37.4% year-on-year in September 2026.
The latest figures were highlighted by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, during the ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.
The 18.8 million passenger figure represents an 11.9% increase compared with the previous year, placing Nigeria among Africa’s largest aviation markets.
Data from the Official Airline Guide (OAG) also shows that Nigerian airlines and carriers serving the country scheduled approximately 1.19 million departing seats in September 2026, up from about 864,100 seats during the same month in 2025.
That represents an additional 322,800 seats and the fastest capacity growth among Africa’s 10 leading country markets.
The expansion has been linked to factors including currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and increased confidence among airlines operating in the Nigerian market.
Nigeria’s domestic aviation market has also recorded particularly strong growth. OAG data shows domestic scheduled capacity increased by 44.8% year-on-year, reaching approximately 877,000 seats in September 2026.
One of the major contributors to the country’s aviation activity is Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where scheduled seat capacity increased by 24.1% in September compared with the same period a year earlier.
FAAN has also been implementing infrastructure and operational improvements across Nigerian airports, including runway rehabilitation, terminal upgrades, airfield lighting improvements and measures aimed at improving passenger processing.
Kuku said the country’s aviation potential extends beyond passenger numbers, arguing that airports can serve as wider commercial hubs supporting logistics, hospitality, retail, data services and airport-city developments.
Despite the growth, challenges remain across Africa’s aviation industry. Passenger load factors remain below global averages, while airline financial stability and infrastructure investment continue to be concerns.
Nigeria’s latest figures nevertheless point to a rapidly expanding aviation market, with increased seat availability and rising passenger volumes creating opportunities for airlines, airports and businesses connected to the wider travel industry.
