FG Set to Ban Foreign Airlines from Selling Tickets in Dollars — NANTA President

The Federal Government is set to put an end to the sale of airline tickets in foreign currency by international carriers, according to Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA).

Speaking during a cultural and tourism programme in Lagos over the weekend, Folami described the practice of cross-border foreign currency trading as “a crime against the economy.”

“Those of us in the aviation sector know that until Nigeria has a strong national carrier to fill the gap, these issues will continue. I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the government is actively addressing the sale of tickets in foreign currency, and this is the latest update,” he said.

He emphasized that foreign airlines selling tickets in dollars violates regulations and adds pressure on the naira and the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Folami noted that the government is responding to concerns raised by travel agencies over this persistent challenge.

The NANTA president further stated that there is no longer any justification for selling tickets in foreign currency in Nigeria, calling the practice outdated and predicting that it will soon be phased out from the country’s aviation industry.

He also highlighted the importance of a strong domestic airline, urging Nigerians to support Air Peace. “The airline has taken bold steps by launching London routes from Lagos and Abuja. It is both a patriotic duty and a responsibility for Nigerians to support and pray for the airline’s continued success and sustainability,” Folami added.