The House of Representatives has begun steps to recover more than $7 billion said to be owed to the Federation Account by foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abiodun Faleke, during the launch of a revenue monitoring review covering the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for the 2023 to 2025 period.
Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency, raised concerns over what he described as significant outstanding payments by airline operators, both international and domestic. His remarks followed a presentation by FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, who briefed lawmakers on the agency’s revenue performance.
According to Kuku, airline operators owed FAAN N25.86 billion in 2023. Of that figure, the authority was able to recover N8.08 billion, representing 31.25 per cent, leaving an unpaid balance of N17.78 billion. She did not provide an update on collections for 2025.
Documents made available to the committee showed that FAAN generated N191.43 billion out of an approved revenue target of N292.93 billion within the review period. This translates to a performance rate of 65.35 per cent and a shortfall of over N101 billion.
The FAAN chief explained that the outstanding debts were linked to a mix of active carriers and defunct operators. She added that payments due from foreign airlines are often processed through the International Air Transport Association, a system she said sometimes slows remittances.
However, members of the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations, particularly in light of Nigeria’s growing public debt profile and reliance on foreign borrowing to support the national budget. Lawmakers also questioned aspects of FAAN’s financial reporting and noted discrepancies in the revenue figures presented.
Speaking during the session, Faleke said the committee was aware that when President Bola Tinubu assumed office, international carriers were reportedly owing over $7 billion. He demanded a detailed breakdown of all debts from 2023 to 2025, including the identities of defaulting airlines.
He also requested comprehensive passenger and flight data for the same period, asking FAAN to provide records of the number of airlines operating in Nigeria, flights received, passenger traffic figures, and relevant manifests.
The committee directed FAAN’s management to return with a full statement of accounts covering all outstanding payments and supporting documentation.
Airline operators in Nigeria are required to remit several statutory charges to the Federal Government through FAAN and other aviation agencies. These include landing and parking fees, passenger service charges, and other regulatory levies.
Concerns over delayed remittances have lingered for years, with some local carriers that shut down reportedly leaving behind substantial unpaid liabilities. For international airlines, collections are often routed through global clearing systems managed by aviation bodies, a process that can complicate enforcement.
The renewed scrutiny comes as the House Committee on Finance intensifies efforts to boost government revenue. In recent months, the panel has expanded its oversight of revenue-generating agencies, aiming to improve remittances to the Federation Account.
With mounting fiscal pressures and a widening budget gap, lawmakers insist that closing revenue leakages including unpaid aviation charges is essential to strengthening public finances and reducing dependence on borrowing.
