Nwuba made this assertion in a recent study titled “Reassessing Nigerian Airfares: A Global Affordability Perspective,” in which he compared the affordability of domestic air travel in Nigeria with that of 19 other countries across different regions of the world. The report assessed airfares against average income and purchasing power parity (PPP), rather than looking at ticket prices in isolation.
According to the study, Nigeria’s average standard short-haul domestic fare stands at $131.67, based on monthly data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). While this figure may appear moderate on the surface, Nwuba explained that it becomes significantly more expensive when adjusted for the country’s low income levels and weak purchasing power.
He noted that countries with far higher average monthly wages still offer cheaper and more affordable domestic air travel. Nations such as India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia were all cited as having lower real airfare burdens on travellers compared to Nigeria.
In practical terms, the report showed that while travellers in countries like India pay about $75 for short-haul domestic flights, Vietnam $65, Malaysia $55, and Ethiopia $95, Nigerian passengers pay an average of $131.67 — despite earning significantly less on average than travellers in most of these countries.
Sharing deeper insights from the study, Nwuba revealed that Nigeria ranked at the very bottom of the affordability index, with Ethiopia positioned just above it. He said the comparison between the two countries was striking, given the stark difference in the strength of their aviation industries.
“Nigeria and Ethiopia were side by side at the bottom of the affordability ranking,” he explained. “Yet Ethiopia is home to the most successful, profitable and expansive airline in Africa, while Nigeria continues to struggle to sustain stable carriers.”
Nwuba argued that population size alone does not determine aviation success. Despite Nigeria’s population of over 220 million people — nearly double Ethiopia’s — the country has failed to translate its large domestic market into a thriving aviation industry.
According to him, the underlying issue lies in the structure of Nigeria’s aviation model. Nigerian airlines, he said, depend almost entirely on domestic passengers due to the absence of a strong international hub, limited long-haul routes and minimal transit traffic. As a result, when domestic affordability declines because of low wages, weak PPP and high operating costs, the entire system becomes vulnerable.
“Domestic affordability is not just an economic indicator in Nigeria; it is the lifeline of the industry,” he stated.
In contrast, Nwuba explained that Ethiopian Airlines operates a fundamentally different model. Domestic travel accounts for less than 10 per cent of its revenue, with the airline’s success driven by a robust global network and strong hub strategy that connects Africa to the rest of the world.
“Nigeria remains a non-starter in this equation,” he said, noting that although the domestic market is large, it is not profitable. Without a viable international network to cushion domestic weaknesses, Nigerian airlines remain trapped in an environment that cannot sustain long-term growth.
The report has reignited discussions around aviation policy, affordability and the urgent need for structural reforms, as industry stakeholders continue to debate how Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its aviation sector.