International air passengers travelling to and from Nigeria will begin paying an additional $11.5 per ticket from December 1, 2025, as part of a new security levy introduced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The charge, known as the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) fee, is designed to enhance border control and passenger data management but will raise Nigeria’s total security levy to $31.50 per ticket.
The News Chronicle gathered that the NCAA expects to generate about $46 million annually from the levy, which will be implemented over a 20-year period. The agency explained that the initiative is in partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service and aims to improve airport security while streamlining the clearance process for passengers. Airlines will collect the fee at the point of sale and remit it to the NCAA.
While the regulatory body insists that the new charge aligns with global aviation standards and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, industry stakeholders fear it will further inflate the already high cost of international travel in Nigeria. Currently, passengers already pay several layers of charges, including a $20 security fee, a five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), and up to $100 Passenger Service Charge (PSC) to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Aviation analysts warn that the cumulative cost could push total ticket-related fees to nearly $150 per passenger, making Nigeria one of the most expensive aviation markets in Africa. Critics argue that the additional fee amounts to double taxation since an existing $20 levy introduced in 2010 serves a similar purpose.
Some airline operators have also expressed concern that the new levy will worsen the sector’s challenges as more Nigerians opt for cheaper road travel to neighboring West African countries before connecting international flights.
Industry experts insist that while passenger data systems are essential for security, such costs should not be transferred to travellers already grappling with currency devaluation and high inflation.
