In celebration of Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has highlighted aviation's critical role in the nation's economy, contributing $2.5 billion annually (0.7% of GDP) and supporting over 217,000 jobs.
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA's Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, said that air connectivity is central to unlocking economic growth by enabling industries across regions to engage in dynamic trade and business activity.
According to IATA, international passenger flow from Nigeria in 2023 reached 2.1 million, with Europe as the largest destination market (38%), followed by Africa (23%) and North America (18%). On the cargo side, Nigeria's airports handled 195,700 tonnes of goods, boosting imports and exports that benefit local businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Alawadhi stressed that aviation not only connects markets but also fuels economic activity across sectors. He noted that 39,500 people are directly employed in aviation, generating $702 million in output, while the wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism raise the sector's total impact to $2.5 billion and over 216,700 jobs.
Read also,
Tourism alone, he added, contributes $454 million to GDP and supports 66,600 jobs, with international visitors spending about $760 million annually on goods and services from local businesses, many of them SMEs.
"Aviation is a powerful engine for social and economic development. With Nigeria's fast-growing, youthful population, the sector offers immense potential to create jobs, expand trade, and drive SME participation in global markets," Alawadhi said.
By providing reliable connectivity, he noted, aviation enhances consumer choice, cultural diversity, and access to essential services, particularly in rural areas where it remains a lifeline for healthcare, education, and employment.
