By Kingston Magare 27.4.2026
Why is Nigerian aviation fuel cost the highest in the world?
This is the question management of Ibom Air is hoping the administration of President Bola Tinubu will give an answer to, otherwise they like other airlines would be forced to close shop.
According to Ibom Air group manager, marketing and communication, Aniekan Essienette Nigerian airline operators are facing a major crisis as the cost of aviation fuel between March and April has risen through the roof in Nigeria, while in other countries the cost of Jet A1 is considerably cheaper.
“The fuel price situation is an unprecedented crisis for Nigeria’s domestic airlines,” Essienette said in a statement.
“At Ibom Air, the cost of fueling our aircraft has more than tripled between January and today. From an average of N2.1m per flight in January, as at today, the 26th of April, we are paying approximately N7.6m to fuel every flight. This is a more than 350% increase since the beginning of March, a space of just 7 weeks! And our aircraft are some of the most fuel efficient in the domestic market.
“At this point, domestic airlines are baffled at why the price of aviation fuel in Nigeria has ballooned to this level, way above the rest of the world, while the fuel marketers obtain 95% or more of their aviation fuel from Dangote Refinery.
“The situation is exacerbated by the fact that a combination of competitive pressures and patriotism have prevented a commensurate increase in our fares, meaning that we and our fellow domestic airlines have had to absorb the immense operating losses resulting from this situation.”
He added that in the days to come Ibom Air will cut down the number of its flight operation.
“This crisis has persisted now for nearly two months, continuously increasing, with no reprieve in sight as at today. While we continue to do everything we can to maintain normal operations, it is clear to us that the current conditions are unsustainable.
“We note that, worldwide, where fuel price increases are nowhere near what we are facing in Nigeria, airlines are reducing flights to manage the situation. We, too, will have to take whatever ameliorating actions we can in the days ahead.”