Nigerians spent $5.996 billion on airline tickets for foreign travel in 2025, marking a 32 per cent increase year-on-year, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The rise was driven largely by education-related trips, medical tourism, business engagements, and personal travel.
The CBN data showed that total foreign travel expenditure rose from $4.544 billion in 2024 to $5.996 billion in 2025. Quarterly analysis indicated strong growth in the first three quarters of the year before a slowdown in the final quarter.
In Q1’25, Nigerians spent $1.267 billion on foreign travel, up 20.2 per cent from the same period in 2024. Spending surged further in Q2’25 to $1.688 billion, representing a 54 per cent increase year-on-year, while Q3’25 recorded the highest quarterly figure at $1.806 billion, up 53.7 per cent. However, Q4’25 dipped slightly, rising just 1.3 per cent to $1.235 billion.
Education-related travel remained the largest component, with Nigerians spending $2.845 billion in 2025, a 14.5 per cent increase from 2024. Medical travel rose to $684.72 million, while business travel recorded sharp spikes across all quarters. Personal travel also increased significantly, reaching $1.62 billion in 2025.
Aviation experts warned that the rising foreign travel bill highlights structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s economy, healthcare, education, and tourism sectors. They called for stronger infrastructure investment, improved security, and reforms to reduce dependence on foreign services and support local airlines.
