Nigerian Airfares Hit N157,355 in April as Jet Fuel Crisis Bites
By Aboki Forex —
The average airfare in Nigeria rose to N157,355.87 in April 2026, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This represents a 0.08% month-on-month increase from March 2026. Year-on-year, the fare jumped by 20.82% from N130,243.90 recorded in April 2025.
Kano, Lagos top the list; Gombe, Nasarawa cheapest
The NBS transport fare watch report, released on Monday, June 1, 2026, showed that Kano recorded the highest air transport charges for specified single-route journeys at N183,835.21. Lagos followed closely with N176,659.49. At the bottom, Gombe had the lowest fare at N135,650.75, while Nasarawa was next at N138,880.14.
Regional breakdown
Regionally, the South-South zone posted the highest average airfare at N163,349.92. The North-West came second at N160,526.32. The North-East recorded the lowest average fare at N151,938.57.
Other state fares
Other states with high fares include Rivers (N175,506.92), Ogun (N173,087.92), Katsina (N169,854.25), Cross River (N169,500.14), Zamfara (N168,000.87), Taraba (N167,756.93), Abia (N167,450.46), and Oyo (N166,531.54). States with lower fares include Bauchi (N142,096.98), Ebonyi (N144,805.77), Borno (N146,450.35), Kaduna (N146,894.76), Edo (N147,200.50), Enugu (N147,458.66), Jigawa (N147,560.40), and Osun (N147,865.52).
Jet fuel crisis drives up costs
Operators have been forced to ground large, fuel-heavy jets and switch to smaller, fuel-efficient regional aircraft. The price of aviation fuel has skyrocketed nearly four times from under N900 per litre at the end of 2023 to between N2,200 and N3,300 per litre in 2026. Globally, jet fuel prices have jumped by over 100% to more than $200 per barrel.
Earlier reports indicated that despite a recent reduction in the ex-depot price of aviation fuel by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, airlines are still paying high prices for Jet A1. Aviation fuel currently sells for between N1,900 and N2,000 per litre in major cities, even after the refinery cut its gantry price from N1,750 to N1,650 per litre. Industry stakeholders had hoped the reduction would ease operational costs and eventually lower airfares.