Nigeria emerges as Africa’s fourth-largest aviation market

Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s fourth-largest aviation market, recording over 18.8 million domestic and international passenger movements in 2025. This represents an 11.9% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic.

According to data from Official Aviation Guide (OAG), scheduled airline capacity in Nigeria reached 1.19 million seats in September 2026, a 37.4% surge compared to the same period in 2025. This growth rate makes Nigeria the fastest-expanding major aviation market in Africa. Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) has been a primary driver, with its scheduled seat capacity increasing by 24.1%.

In addition to market growth, Nigeria achieved a record 91.45% effective implementation score in a 2026 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety audit. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo stated this score serves as a “new baseline” for ongoing reforms. The government is currently focusing on modernizing airport infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of Terminal 1 at MMIA, to transform airports into economic hubs through private-sector participation.