As Nigeria enters the 2026 calendar year, the Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network (CJAN) and the Association for Students’ Social Welfare (ASSW) have urged the Federal Government to introduce a structured student airfare policy and review aviation taxes, warning that rising air travel costs are increasingly restricting access to education and skills development.
The call was contained in a joint statement signed by Taiwo Ajayi, Founder of CJAN; Boluwatife Adedokun, Executive Director of CJAN; Boluwatife Fakorede Adedoyin, Community Outreach Coordinator of CJAN; and Victor Adetolaju, Founder and National Coordinator of ASSW.
The groups said affordable mobility is critical to education, research collaboration and national development, stressing that air travel should not become a barrier to academic advancement for Nigerian students.
They called for clear, enforceable student airfare frameworks covering both domestic and international routes, alongside a comprehensive review of aviation taxes and charges, which they described as excessive and inflationary.
While acknowledging recent airline-led student discount initiatives on selected international routes, including those by Air Peace, the organisations said such measures remain voluntary, inconsistent and dependent on corporate discretion.
“Students cannot plan their academic futures on the basis of temporary promotions,” the statement said, noting that existing discounts vary by route, airline policy and time frame, and are not backed by regulation.
CJAN and ASSW highlighted the scale of the challenge, citing data indicating that more than 90,000 Nigerians study abroad annually, with billions of dollars spent on foreign education each year. Within the country, they said rising inter-state airfares are affecting students travelling for admissions processes, industrial training, academic conferences, competitions and research activities.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, CJAN Founder Taiwo Ajayi said student mobility should be treated as a national investment rather than a luxury.
“When students are denied opportunities because of high travel costs, Nigeria loses innovation, research output and human capital growth,” Ajayi said. “Supporting student mobility in 2026 should be seen as a strategic investment in the country’s future workforce.”
Also speaking, CJAN Executive Director Boluwatife Adedokun said the new year should mark a transition from ad-hoc interventions to sustainable policy solutions.
“We commend airlines that have introduced student discounts, but reliance on short-term promotions is not sustainable,” Adedokun said. “Students need transparent, year-round frameworks for both domestic and international travel.”
On the grassroots impact, CJAN’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Boluwatife Fakorede Adedoyin, said structured travel support would significantly broaden students’ academic exposure.
“Affordable air travel would enable more Nigerian students to participate in research, exchange programmes and specialised learning opportunities,” she said. “These experiences shape students into confident and globally competitive change-makers.”
Victor Adetolaju, Founder and National Coordinator of ASSW and the Students Chamber of Commerce, linked student mobility to broader economic and development objectives.
“Students are not just learners; they are national assets and future leaders,” Adetolaju said. “High aviation taxes increase airline operating costs, push up fares and ultimately limit access. Reducing these barriers is essential for national development.”
The groups also expressed concern over the Tax Reform Act 2025, which takes effect in January 2026 and removes previous exemptions on aircraft, spare parts and airline tickets, subjecting them to value-added tax and other duties. Industry analysts have warned that the changes could further raise airline operating costs and translate into higher fares for passengers.
As part of their New Year appeal, CJAN and ASSW called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, revenue agencies and airline operators to reassess aviation taxes and levies, engage stakeholders to balance revenue generation with affordability, and introduce structured student fare programmes supported by clear policy incentives.
They said easing the tax and operational burden on airlines would expand student mobility in 2026, improve access to education and research opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital development and global competitiveness.licy
