When Lagos Tickets Cost More Than London: Why Nigeria’s Airfare Isn’t as Cheap as That £25 Ticket to Germany
Flying Abroad Isn’t Always Cheaper—Nigeria Might Surprise You
Imagine securing a flight from Spain to Germany for just £25, or hopping from Germany to the UK for £20, then scooting to the Netherlands for £18, or catching a ride from Portugal to the Netherlands for €38—even UK to France for £13. Seems like a travel bargain buffet, right?
Now pause. Consider this: within Nigeria, the flight from Lagos to Owerri costs ₦190,000 (about £126)—and some flights stretch even higher. That’s a domestic route in Nigeria potentially pricier than hopping between European capitals. They dey play o! 😂
Airfare Realities: Nigeria vs. Europe
European Cost of Living…cheap? Not Always
Eurowings currently offers flights Spain → Germany starting at €24.88—a stunningly low fare that seems almost unreal .
Ryanair’s “You Need a Break” flash sale (Aug 21, 2025) slashed fares from Dublin to European hotspots—Girona for €16.99, Valencia €17.99, Carcassonne €17.99, Lisbon €29.99, and more .
Meanwhile, Germany saw a 3.1% drop in international fares in H1 2024, though flights to Europe rose slightly (2.7%) .
These “silly-cheap” deals (sometimes under £20) fuel dreams of weekend city escapes. But again—budget airlines and giant European hubs drive that affordability. All fun and games until you're booking domestic flights in Nigeria.
Domestic Nigerian Airfares—A Whole Different Story
Travo.ng reports one-way Lagos–Owerri fares starting from ₦73,500, round-trips from ₦135,000—depending on timing and carrier .
Meanwhile, Travo.ng (2025) notes one-way tickets averaging ₦95,000–₦120,000, and round-trips ranging up to ₦240,000 .
Booking platforms like Flightpadi quote cheapest one-way at ₦114,400 and round-trips at ₦228,800 .
On a UK-based platform (Kiwi.com), the cheapest one-way from Lagos to Owerri is listed as £60, round-trip £121—equivalent to about ₦173,000 to ₦184,000 .
So yes: domestic flight within Nigeria can cost more than hopping across borders in Europe.
Why the Disparity? Economics, Infrastructure, and More
Weak Competition & Low Demand: Many African routes operate with just one or two airlines—no major carriers to drive prices down .
Infrastructure & High Operating Costs: Weather delays, fuel imports, taxes, and inefficient airports all jack up ticket prices within the region .
Currency Pressures & Low Disposable Income: In 2024, Nigerians cut foreign travel spending by 30% due to Naira depreciation, raising domestic price sensitivity too .
Passenger Traffic Decline: Domestic aviation saw a >10% year-on-year drop in passenger numbers in 2024, undermining economies of scale for cheaper fares .
Conclusion: Reality Check on That “Abroad Is More Expensive” Myth
Yes, Europe boasts ultra-cheap flights—thanks to budget carriers, huge passenger volumes, and robust competition. Yet domestically, Nigeria’s own flights can remain stubbornly costly due to economic, structural, and competitive limitations. So the next time someone says “abroad is costlier”—you can hit them with the facts (and maybe that laugh), because sometimes your own backyard is pricier than Europe.
0 Comments