Nigeria’s aviation regulator has issued a stern warning to domestic airlines, ordering them to stop “misleading” passengers during chronic flight delays that have left travelers stranded for hours in airports across the country.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has observed a disturbing trend of operators providing “inconsistent” information to paying customers, often hiding the true cause of disruptions—which range from aircraft maintenance to a worsening regional jet fuel crisis.

The directive, issued on Tuesday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, follows reports of passengers being kept in terminals from dawn until late at night, only for their flights to be cancelled at the last minute.

The ‘Fuel Scarcity’ Veil

In a rare public rebuke of airline communication tactics, the NCAA specifically called out the practice of blaming “operational issues” when the real problem is a lack of aviation fuel.

“Airlines should, please, ensure to let passengers know the true reasons for lengthy delays, especially when it is a fueling issue,” Mr. Achimugu stated via his official X handle. “Do not say ‘bird strike’ if the problem is fuel. Do not say, “We will take off in 30 minutes’ if you are not sure of fueling.”

The regulator warned that keeping passengers in the dark prevents them from making “informed decisions,” such as booking alternative flights to reach vital events like visa interviews, business meetings, or family emergencies.

Analysis: A Sector Under Pressure

Flying in Nigeria in 2026 has become an increasingly unpredictable venture. While the NCAA recently reported a slight decline in overall cancellations compared to last year, the domestic industry is currently being hammered by a 177% surge in Jet A1 fuel prices, which have hit record highs of over ₦2,500 per litre.

For the airlines, admitting to a fuel shortage is often seen as a sign of financial weakness. But for the regulator, this lack of transparency is a safety and consumer rights issue. When a flight is delayed until late at night, passengers are often flown into destination cities where ground transportation is no longer safe or available—a situation the NCAA describes as “avoidable.”

New ‘Enhanced Monitoring’

The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, has now ordered consumer protection officers to ramp up their presence at terminals to monitor real-time flight updates.

The NCAA’s New Transparency Mandate:

• Accurate ETAs: Airlines are forbidden from announcing a 20-minute delay if the aircraft is not yet on the ground.
• Truthful Reporting: Misrepresenting technical faults to cover for fuel or logistics issues is now a punishable offence.
• Accommodation: Passengers stranded late into the night must be provided with hotel accommodation and refreshments as per existing civil aviation regulations.

‘No-Brainer’ Accountability

The regulator stressed that while some challenges—such as weather or fuel supply chains—may not be the direct fault of the airlines, the responsibility to mitigate the “inconvenience” lies solely with the operator.

As Nigeria enters the rainy season, which traditionally brings further weather-related disruptions, the NCAA’s message is clear: the flying public can tolerate a delay, but they will no longer tolerate being lied to.