This is a direct insult to Nigeria’s financial system. It is unacceptable that a foreign airline, benefiting from Nigerian passengers and resources, would refuse to transact in our national currency,”
Dr. Rev. David Kayode
By Abdulrahman Aliagan
The APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG) has raised serious concerns over the reported refusal of EgyptAir to accept the Nigerian Naira as a legal means of payment at its Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 counter in Lagos. The shocking revelation, brought to public attention by Rev. Dr. David Kayode, has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for immediate government action to address what has been described as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and economic stability.
In a petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Amb. Musa Muhammed Tsoken, National President of APC-IGG, condemned EgyptAir’s actions, emphasizing that no foreign business operating in Nigeria has the right to disregard the nation’s legal tender. He stressed that such an act undermines the country’s economic policies, disrespects its sovereignty, and could set a dangerous precedent for other foreign entities operating within Nigeria.
According to Rev. Dr. Kayode, a former Chairman of the Voice for the Voiceless in New York City and Clergy Advisor to the Queens Borough District Attorney’s Office in the USA, EgyptAir’s conduct is not only unethical but also constitutes a clear violation of Nigerian law. “This is a direct insult to Nigeria’s financial system. It is unacceptable that a foreign airline, benefiting from Nigerian passengers and resources, would refuse to transact in our national currency,” he stated.
Amb. Tsoken, in his reaction, urged President Tinubu to take decisive action against EgyptAir and ensure that all foreign businesses operating in Nigeria respect the Naira. He warned that failure to address this matter urgently could embolden other foreign firms to flout Nigeria’s financial laws.
“This is not just about EgyptAir; it is about Nigeria’s dignity as a sovereign nation. No country allows its currency to be disregarded within its borders, and Nigeria must not be an exception. We call on relevant government authorities, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministry of Aviation, and regulatory agencies, to intervene immediately and sanction EgyptAir for this blatant violation,” Tsoken declared.
He further emphasized that foreign businesses operating in Nigeria must be held accountable and made to comply with the nation’s financial regulations. “The Nigerian economy cannot afford to be undermined by foreign entities that operate within our jurisdiction but refuse to acknowledge our laws. This must be the last time such an incident occurs,” he added.
As tensions rise over this issue, Nigerians are eagerly watching to see how the Tinubu-led administration will respond to this challenge. Will the government take swift action to defend Nigeria’s economic sovereignty, or will foreign businesses continue to dictate the terms of engagement in the country?
The ball is now in the court of the Nigerian government to make a firm statement—Nigeria’s currency and sovereignty must be respected, without exception.
