The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to address high aviation taxes, charges and fees as Nigeria moves to implement the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) regional aviation policy.

The National Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee (NATEOC) was inaugurated at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja on Wednesday to coordinate the implementation of the regional agreement and monitor Nigeria’s compliance with its obligations.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, said the committee would serve as the country’s primary coordinating platform for implementing the policy. He was represented at the inauguration by the Director of Air Transport Regulation, Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe.

According to the NCAA, the committee is expected to assess Nigeria’s compliance with the regional policy, identify implementation gaps, recommend policy adjustments and monitor progress towards meeting ECOWAS requirements.

Its responsibilities also include developing an implementation roadmap, reviewing relevant laws and regulations, ensuring the policy is published in the national gazette and working with regional institutions to achieve its objectives.

The initiative follows the adoption of the ECOWAS Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/24 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 66th Ordinary Session in Abuja on December 15, 2024.

The agreement establishes a common regional framework for aviation taxes, charges and fees, with the aim of making air travel more affordable, improving transparency and promoting fair competition among airlines operating within West Africa.

Nigeria’s aviation industry has repeatedly raised concerns over the burden of taxes and charges on airline operations, with industry operators highlighting the high cost of doing business in the country.

 

She said the committee would work towards coordinated national action in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Doc 9082, which provides guidance on charges for airports and air navigation services.

The Director-General also emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with stakeholders, particularly domestic airline operators and the International Air Transport Association, to support implementation.

 

Meanwhile, the NCAA’s Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mary Tufano-Eche, urged committee members to carefully examine the legal provisions underpinning the ECOWAS agreement.

She noted that the regional policy must be incorporated into Nigeria’s aviation regulatory framework without creating conflicts with existing laws.

The committee’s work is expected to establish a coordinated approach to aviation charges and Nigeria’s regional obligations. However, the impact on ticket prices will depend on how the policy is implemented and whether the measures reduce the costs borne by airlines and passengers.