The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered evidence of price manipulation by some domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive season, raising concerns about consumer exploitation and competition in Nigeria’s aviation sector, according to an interim report released on Thursday.
The review, conducted by the Commission’s Department of Surveillance and Investigations, followed an industry-wide probe announced in January 2026. Preliminary data analysis showed that ticket fares during the festive peak were significantly higher than post-peak levels in January, despite relative stability in key operating costs such as aviation fuel, government taxes, and foreign exchange.
In a statement signed by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission said the differences in fares appeared to reflect airlines’ discretionary pricing rather than external cost pressures:
A review undertaken by the FCCPC uncovered patterns of price manipulation by some local carriers during the December festive season. The forensic exercise, based on data from airlines operating domestic routes, compared ticket prices during the peak festive period with post-peak levels in January 2026. Analysis indicates that fares during the December peak were materially higher, despite stable operating variables like fuel, taxes, and foreign exchange. The observed differences suggest discretionary pricing, including yield management and capacity allocation, rather than regulatory cost changes.
The Commission noted that fare hikes often coincided with reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand peaks, suggesting deliberate supply constraints. On high-density routes, peak fares were sometimes clustered across multiple operators, potentially indicating coordinated behaviour. For instance, fares on the Abuja–Port Harcourt corridor during the festive period were several times higher than post-peak levels, with some tickets priced as high as N405,000. Median fares across sampled routes also rose sharply during the festive window compared to January benchmarks.
However, the FCCPC acknowledged that seasonal demand, fleet utilisation, and scheduling constraints can affect fares and remain under review.
Speaking on the findings, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Tunji Bello said the investigation is part of the agency’s mandate to promote competition and protect consumers:
This assessment aims to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. Our role is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity but to ensure market outcomes align with competition and consumer protection principles. This is an interim report, and further structural and route-level analysis will guide any regulatory action.
The report identified potential violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, including anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, price-fixing, and unfair contract terms. Relevant sections cited include prohibitions against restraint of competition, abuse of dominant position, conspiracy, and unjust dealings with consumers.
Bello also disclosed that the Commission will extend its probe to international airlines, amid complaints that Nigerians are charged higher fares than travellers on comparable routes in neighbouring countries:
Following our domestic review, we will examine the pricing behaviour of foreign carriers operating in Nigeria, as there are persistent concerns that Nigerians pay disproportionately higher fares.
Airfare pricing has long been a concern in Nigeria, particularly during festive periods. Airlines often cite limited fleet capacity, rising fuel costs, and operational challenges for higher fares, while consumer groups argue that carriers exploit predictable demand surges by restricting seat supply. Aircraft shortages, high maintenance costs, forex constraints, and infrastructure gaps have further constrained capacity and pressured prices.
The FCCPC’s ongoing probe could lead to greater pricing transparency and fair competition in Nigeria’s aviation sector, reinforcing broader regulatory efforts to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.