The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has strongly criticized some foreign airlines for selling flight tickets only in US dollars instead of allowing payments in the Nigerian naira.
The President of NANTA, Yinka Folami, said this practice is harmful to Nigeria’s economy and goes against the country’s legal tender laws, which recognize the naira as the official currency for transactions within the country.
Speaking in Lagos during a press conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the association, Folami explained that agreements such as Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) may permit airlines to accept payments in foreign currencies like the dollar, but they do not prevent them from also accepting naira.
He stressed that these agreements were designed to provide flexible payment options for passengers, not to completely exclude Nigeria’s local currency from international travel transactions.
According to Folami, the decision by some airlines to insist on dollar payments has created serious challenges for Nigerian travellers, making it more difficult and expensive for them to access international flights.
He added that this trend also weakens confidence in the country’s financial system.
Folami called on government regulators to take action and ensure that the naira remains the primary means of exchange in Nigeria. He described the situation as unfair and disrespectful to the country.
He also expressed concern over increasing visa restrictions on Nigerians and growing global distrust.
He warned that rising airline charges and policies could negatively affect travel agencies and reduce cross-border trade, which is already declining.
He also expressed concern over increasing visa restrictions on Nigerians and the growing level of distrust from other countries, which he said is making international travel more difficult. According to him, many Nigerian travellers now face tougher conditions when applying for visas, while travel agencies are also dealing with rising airline charges and financial pressures that threaten their survival.
Folami further warned that cross-border trade is already declining and could worsen if the situation is not addressed quickly. He described the current trend as unfair competition and a misinterpretation of existing policies, noting that it is negatively affecting NANTA members and limiting business opportunities within the travel and tourism sector.
