More Relief for Naira as FG Moves to End Dollar Ticket Sales

The Federal Government is taking decisive action to stop foreign airlines from selling flight tickets in US dollars within Nigeria, a move expected to provide further relief for the pressured Naira.

This was revealed by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Yinka Folami, who stated that the government is “squarely addressing” the issue, which travel agents have long argued violates local regulations and contributes to exchange rate instability.

Folami, speaking on a cultural and tourism programme in Lagos at the weekend, declared that the ‘dollarisation’ of the aviation sector will soon become a thing of the past.

He described the practice of selling tickets in a foreign currency on Nigerian soil as “an outdated system” and a “crime against the economy.”

“Those of us in the aviation space understand that until we have a strong Nigerian carrier to stand in the gap, these issues will persist,” Folami said. “I am happy to inform Nigerians that the government is squarely addressing the issue of ticket sales in foreign currency, and that is the latest update on the matter.”

The insistence of international carriers on dollar transactions has been a major point of contention for local travel agencies. They argue that it sidelines the local currency, creates artificial demand for dollars, and puts Nigerian businesses and travellers at a disadvantage.

Folami connected the government’s new push to the recent launch of Air Peace’s direct flights to London. He called on Nigerians to support the indigenous airline, framing it as a patriotic duty crucial for breaking foreign dominance in the sector.

“The airline took the bull by the horns by launching its London routes from Lagos and Abuja,” he said. “It is a patriotic responsibility for Nigerians to support and pray for the airline’s success and sustainability.”

He explained that having a strong national carrier is key to resisting such external economic pressures. The move by the government, if implemented, would force all airlines to sell tickets in Naira, aligning with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s efforts to stabilise the local currency and deepen its use in the domestic economy.