Government to penalize six airlines for reportedly inflating ticket prices, consumer protection agency claims

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has disclosed that six domestic airlines may face sanctions over alleged arbitrary increases in airfares during the Christmas travel period.

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Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Tunji Bello, made the disclosure during the “Meet the Press” briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the State House in Abuja.

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Bello said investigations by the commission found indications of coordinated fare increases during the festive period and that the affected airlines could be required to refund excess charges to passengers once the final report is released.

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According to him, ticket prices that previously ranged between ₦145,000 and ₦150,000 reportedly rose sharply to between ₦450,000 and ₦670,000 during the period under review.

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“We have completed investigations into complaints that airlines fixed prices during the Christmas period. The final report will detail the penalties, and we are considering requiring refunds to affected passengers,” he said.

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The FCCPC boss also revealed that the commission has recovered more than ₦10 billion for consumers through complaints resolved between March and August 2025.

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He noted that over 9,000 consumer complaints were handled within the period and urged Nigerians to make use of the commission’s formal complaint channels rather than expressing dissatisfaction informally.

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“Our work is evidence-based. Consumers must lodge complaints so we can investigate and ensure justice,” Bello said, adding that the commission’s digital platform allows consumers to submit complaints and track their progress.

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He also disclosed that the commission is monitoring commodity prices nationwide amid tensions in the Middle East to ensure businesses do not exploit global developments to justify arbitrary price increases.

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According to him, the FCCPC has activated a monitoring mechanism across critical sectors of the economy to track pricing trends and discourage anti-competitive practices.

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Bello said the commission is working with agencies including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to monitor developments in the petroleum sector.

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On rising cement prices, the FCCPC boss confirmed that the Federal Government has set up an investigative committee to examine the situation following public concerns.

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He explained that while the commission does not directly control prices, it is empowered under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 to investigate and prosecute anti-competitive practices such as price fixing.

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Bello added that the commission has already prosecuted more than 55 cases under the law, with additional cases currently pending.

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