Outbound foreign travel from Nigeria has plummeted by over 60% in 2024, with passenger numbers dropping from 2.04 million in 2023 to just 816,000 this year. This decline is largely attributed to soaring foreign currency rates, particularly the US dollar, which have rendered international travel prohibitively expensive for many Nigerians [d7a416c3].
Air ticket prices have skyrocketed, increasing by over 600% since 2023. For instance, economy seats to the USA have surged from N350,000 to between N2.7 million and N3 million, making it difficult for the average citizen to afford such travel [d7a416c3]. Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) noted a significant decline of 40-50% in travel activity, indicating that only a select few can still manage to book flights abroad [d7a416c3].
This economic strain coincides with President Bola Tinubu's controversial foreign trips, which have sparked public outcry amid rising living costs and inflation. Critics have pointed out that while the president has made 14 foreign trips since January 2024, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities [ebb36250].
The government's recent spending of N1.8 billion on air travel for ministries and agencies has further fueled the debate over fiscal priorities, especially as citizens face the repercussions of the removal of fuel subsidies [59488e7f].
Despite the overall decline in foreign travel, Kano Airport has shown resilience, maintaining regular flights even in these challenging economic conditions [d7a416c3]. As the government grapples with these issues, the demand for transparency and responsible fiscal management is likely to grow among the populace [4bdc494c].