The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered indications of price manipulation by some Nigerian airlines during the December 2025 festive period, according to an interim report released on Thursday.
The review, conducted by the Commission’s Surveillance and Investigations Department, compared domestic airline fares during the peak holiday season with post-peak January 2026 levels.
Preliminary findings show that ticket prices on several local routes were significantly higher during the festive season, despite relatively stable operating costs such as fuel, taxes, and foreign exchange.
The analysis suggests that some of the price spikes may reflect arbitrary pricing decisions, including yield management and capacity allocation, rather than variations in regulatory fees.
On certain busy routes, such as Abuja–Port Harcourt, single-ticket fares during the peak period were reported to be up to ₦405,000 higher than post-peak levels, with median fares across sampled routes showing a marked increase.
The report notes that seasonal demand pressures, fleet utilisation, and scheduling constraints may also influence pricing during peak periods, and these factors remain under further review.
Commenting on the findings, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Tunji Bello, said the interim assessment is part of the Commission’s mandate to safeguard competitive markets and protect consumers.
“This report is intended to shed light on pricing behaviours during predictable peak travel periods. Our goal is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity but to ensure that market outcomes align with competition and consumer protection laws,” Bello said.
He added that further structural and route-level analysis is ongoing before any final conclusions are drawn. “Once the full review is complete, the Commission will determine whether regulatory guidance, engagement, or enforcement is warranted under the law,” he noted.
According to Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, the interim report references relevant provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, including the prohibition of price-fixing, abuse of dominant position, agreements in restraint of competition, and unfair or unreasonable contract terms.
Ijagwu also disclosed that foreign airlines will come under review following the ongoing examination of local carriers, in response to complaints about allegedly exploitative fares on certain routes compared to neighbouring countries.