Airlines reject subsidies, demand stable aviation fuel pricing in Nigeria
Nigerian airline operators have ruled out seeking government subsidies, instead urging authorities to ensure aviation fuel is sold at fair and stable market rates to sustain the sector. Spokesperson Obiora Okonkwo of the Airline Operators of Nigeria made the position known during an April 17 interview with Channels Television, saying, "We're not looking for any government grant; we're just saying, let's have the fuel at a reasonable price." He described aviation as a critical driver of economic activity that enables commerce and mobility beyond serving elites.
Okonkwo noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire aviation ecosystem received only about ₦4 billion in support—an amount he called insignificant compared to assistance given to airlines in other countries. Despite that, operators survived through resilience. However, he warned that current volatility in aviation fuel pricing poses a more serious threat to the industry’s survival. While some marketers still sell fuel at expected rates, the product often becomes scarce and then resurfaces at inflated prices, creating what he described as a quasi‑black market.
He cautioned that any disruption in aviation operations would have far‑reaching economic consequences, including job losses, financial strain on banks, and broader instability in related sectors. Okonkwo called for stronger regulatory oversight and urged fuel marketers to identify and expose those responsible for price distortions, adding that airline operators are willing to take collective action, including blacklisting erring suppliers. "If regulation cannot identify those responsible, marketers should look within and point them out. We are ready to blacklist such players because when we don’t buy, they don’t sell," he said.
Will you monitor fuel price changes when planning travel or business logistics, or consider alternative transport options if airfares rise sharply due to fuel costs?