Adurogboye defends ticket charges in aviation sector
A former General Manager of Public Affairs at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Sam Adurogboye, has defended the funding structure of the aviation sector, warning against moves that could weaken the regulator’s financial independence.
Adurogboye said the aviation industry remains the most regulated sector globally because passenger safety remains the top priority.
He noted that strict oversight gives travellers confidence in air transport operations.
NCAA relies on passenger charges for operations
According to him, the NCAA does not depend on government allocations for survival.
He explained that the agency funds its operations through a five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge paid by passengers and cargo operators.
The charges apply to domestic and international air transport originating from Nigeria.
He said airlines collect the levies on behalf of the authority to ease passenger movement at airports.
Airlines accused of twisting facts
Adurogboye dismissed claims that the charges place additional burdens on airline operators.
He said airlines only collect and remit the funds under an agreed payment arrangement.
According to him, some operators now seek government intervention by presenting misleading narratives about the charges.
“There are no extra charges on airlines in Nigeria,” he stated.
He argued that weakening the NCAA’s revenue source could affect aviation oversight and safety monitoring.
Revenue shared among aviation agencies
The former NCAA spokesman explained that the revenue supports several aviation agencies across the country.
Under the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the NCAA receives 56 per cent of the funds collected.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency gets 22 per cent, while the Nigerian Meteorological Agency receives nine per cent.
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology takes seven per cent, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau gets six per cent.
Adurogboye warns against repeating past mistakes
Adurogboye recalled the aviation crises between 2005 and 2006, when several air disasters occurred in Nigeria.
He blamed the incidents partly on political interference and weak regulatory oversight at the time.
According to him, the Federal Government later introduced reforms that strengthened the NCAA’s autonomy.
He warned against policies that could return the country to that period.
He also questioned why domestic airlines struggle with remittances while foreign carriers meet their obligations without difficulty.
Call for stronger regulatory independence
Adurogboye stressed that passengers fund aviation regulation because the agency exists to protect them.
He added that global aviation practice supports independent regulators funded through industry charges.
He urged stakeholders to avoid actions capable of undermining the safety and stability of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
