The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Yinka Folami, has announced that the Federal Government will soon end the sale of airline tickets in dollars by foreign carriers operating in Nigeria.
Speaking on a cultural and tourism programme in Lagos over the weekend, Folami described the practice of selling tickets in foreign currency as “a crime against the economy,” stressing that it exerts unnecessary pressure on the naira and the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“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. 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,” he said.
Folami emphasized that the sale of tickets in dollars violates local financial regulations and undermines the stability of the Nigerian economy. He noted that the government has started taking concrete steps to address the issue following persistent complaints from travel agencies across the country.
According to him, there is no justification for continuing the practice, which he described as outdated and detrimental to the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry. He expressed optimism that the system would soon be phased out completely.
Folami also underscored the importance of supporting indigenous airlines, particularly Air Peace, which recently launched its London routes from Lagos and Abuja. He described the airline’s bold expansion as a demonstration of national pride and capability.
He urged Nigerians to support and pray for Air Peace’s continued success and sustainability, describing it as a patriotic duty to strengthen the country’s aviation sector and reduce dependence on foreign carriers.
