Nigeria’s aviation industry however recorded its first contraction in nearly two years in the first quarter of 2026, as the air transport subsector suffered a sharp decline that reversed much of the recovery momentum achieved in 2025.
According to the latest Gross Domestic Product report released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the air transport subsector contracted by 47.3 per cent year-on-year in nominal terms in Q1 2026.
The figure represents a significant reversal from the 57.21 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, highlighting weakening activity within the aviation segment.
The latest performance also marked the subsector’s first nominal contraction since the 8.92 per cent decline recorded in the first quarter of 2024, ending seven consecutive quarters of sustained growth.
The downturn occurred despite Nigeria’s broader economy expanding by 3.89 per cent in real terms during the quarter, while the overall transportation and storage sector remained in positive territory.The sharp contraction may reflect operational challenges facing airlines, rising operating costs, reduced passenger demand, and broader pressures within the aviation value chain. The development underscores renewed concerns over the sustainability of growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector amid persistent economic and infrastructure constraints,
