LAGOS, Nigeria. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority temporarily suspended a directive enforcing debt collection against domestic airlines on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Okay News reports that the regulator paused the rule to protect operational stability within the domestic aviation industry.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, signed a statement outlining the decision. Najomo said, “This decision follows extensive consultations within the sector and a careful review of current operating realities, particularly the rising cost of aviation fuel and its impact on airline operations and overall industry stability,”
The regulator clarified that the suspension does not cancel the debts owed by airlines to aviation agencies. Najomo said, “It is important to state clearly that this suspension does not represent a cancellation, waiver, or forgiveness of outstanding statutory financial obligations as such decision is beyond the purview of the Authority.”
The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, previously approved a 30 per cent discount on outstanding fees owed to aviation agencies. Najomo said, “This relief, as contained in a statement by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, is part of Federal Government’s broader efforts to cushion the impact of the high cost of Jet A1 fuel, stabilize the aviation industry and safeguard airline operations. All affected operators, therefore, remain fully responsible for the settlement of their statutory debts, and the NCAA will pursue structured engagements with airlines individually, to ensure recovery in a manner that supports both compliance and sector stability,”
The disputed charges involve a 5 per cent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charge established under the Civil Aviation Act. Najomo said, “It must be emphasized that this charge is collected at the point of ticket and cargo sales by airlines on behalf of the aviation ecosystem, and is expected to be remitted to the NCAA for defined purposes.”
The agency operates on a cost recovery basis and does not receive direct funding from the Federal Government for daily regulatory activities. Najomo said, “The temporary suspension of the ‘no pay, no service’ measure is a calibrated step aimed at maintaining operational stability within the sector while continued engagement is pursued toward full settlement of outstanding obligations,”
