Flying within Nigeria used to be expensive. Now, it can feel impossible for everyday workers. During the 2025 festive season, the situation turned into a full-blown crisis.
Punch and other outlets confirmed that one-way fares on some domestic routes jumped by roughly 150%, with prices surpassing N300,000. Pulse Nigeria went further, reporting that in extreme cases, tickets on certain routes climbed as high as N400,000 to N600,000.
To put that in perspective: TechCrier notes that fares which once averaged below N50,000 on busy routes like Lagos to Abuja now regularly exceed N150,000. A domestic trip now costs what many Nigerians earn in a month.
Airlines point to real structural pressures: the rising cost of aviation fuel, foreign exchange constraints, and ballooning operational expenses. Technext notes that Jet A1 fuel alone now costs roughly N1,500 to N1,600 per litre, and fuel accounts for 30 to 40% of airline operating costs. The math does not leave much room for affordable fares.
The result? Many Nigerians switched to road transport, despite well-documented security risks on Nigerian highways. The affordability gap in domestic aviation grew wider with every passing month.
What Is the FG Fly Now Pay Later Program?
On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) announced the official launch of the "Fly Now, Pay Later" (FNPL) scheme on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The programme is a consumer credit product that allows eligible Nigerians to book domestic flights immediately and spread repayment over a structured period, without paying the full ticket cost upfront. It is part of CREDICORP's broader mandate to expand financial inclusion across essential services in Nigeria.
Legit.ng confirms that the scheme is delivered in partnership with two key institutions:
- MyVisaro (booking platform, accessible at visaro.ng)
- Alert Microfinance Bank (handles credit assessments and financing)
Together, these partners handle the full pipeline: flight booking, credit eligibility checks, repayment structuring, and access to financing. The government provides the policy framework and mandate; the private sector delivers the technology and financial muscle.
How the Fly Now Pay Later Scheme Works: Step by Step
The process is straightforward. Here is exactly how eligible Nigerians can access the scheme, based on details from The Cable and Neusroom:
- 1 Visit visaro.ng and browse available domestic flights to any Nigerian city of your choice.
- 2 Select your flight and proceed to the Fly Now, Pay Later payment option at checkout.
- 3 Pass a credit assessment conducted through Alert Microfinance Bank to confirm eligibility for the financing product.
- 4 Pay a 30% initial deposit of the total ticket cost to confirm your booking.
- 5 Repay the remaining 70% across three monthly instalments, based on your agreed repayment schedule.
How to Apply for Fly Now Pay Later on Visaro
Applying is simple and entirely digital. CREDICORP has directed all interested Nigerians to a single entry point:
- 1 Go to visaro.ng on any device.
- 2 Search for your desired domestic route and preferred travel date.
- 3 Choose the Fly Now, Pay Later option and complete the credit application process.
- 4 Once approved, pay your 30% deposit and your booking is confirmed.
Who Qualifies for the Fly Now Pay Later Credit Scheme?
CREDICORP has been clear that this scheme targets "eligible customers," but the corporation has not yet published a detailed public list of eligibility criteria. What we know so far is that the scheme appears directed at working Nigerians with a verifiable credit profile.
Technext describes the target audience as "working Nigerians" who need to book flights but cannot pay the full cost upfront. The credit assessment process handled by Alert Microfinance Bank will determine individual eligibility.
CREDICORP's Other Consumer Credit Programmes in Nigeria
The Fly Now, Pay Later initiative does not stand alone. CREDICORP has been building a portfolio of credit products designed to improve quality of life for Nigerians across multiple sectors.
Technext lists several active CREDICORP programmes running alongside the new flight credit scheme:
- Project S.C.A.L.E. (credit for local goods and energy)
- YouthCred (empowerment loans for young professionals)
- 10,000 Women in Mobility (targeted at female entrepreneurs in transport)
- C.A.L.M Fund (green energy and mobility financing)
These programmes provide credit for solar systems, electric vehicles, household equipment, and personal loans for civil servants. The Fly Now, Pay Later scheme extends this philosophy specifically to aviation, reflecting the government's view that air travel is an essential service, not a luxury.
How This Compares to Similar Schemes Globally
Nigeria is not inventing this idea from scratch. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) models for travel have gained traction across several African markets in recent years.
Technext draws a direct parallel with a similar Emirates airline initiative in Kenya, which allows travellers to break up payments across up to five instalments within 24 hours of booking. Nigeria's model leans toward monthly repayment cycles, which may suit salary earners better.
Globally, BNPL platforms like Uplift and Affirm have long served as embedded payment options within airline booking engines in the US and Europe. What makes Nigeria's version distinctive is the direct government backing through CREDICORP.
This gives the scheme a level of institutional credibility that purely private fintech offerings lack. It also carries the weight of a national financial inclusion mandate.
Will This Actually Solve Nigeria's Domestic Airfare Problem?
This is the most important question, and the honest answer is: partly, and it depends on execution.
The scheme does not reduce the cost of flying. Jet fuel is still expensive. Airlines still operate under foreign exchange pressure. A Lagos to Abuja ticket at N150,000 costs exactly the same whether you pay it all upfront or across three months. What the programme changes is cash flow management, not the underlying price.
For working Nigerians with a salary structure, that distinction matters enormously. A N150,000 ticket becomes three N35,000 monthly payments after the deposit. That is a fundamentally different burden from paying N150,000 at once. TechCrier describes this potential as a "game changer" for travellers facing urgent trips but lacking immediate funds.
There is no physical office visit required. The entire process from eligibility check to booking confirmation runs through the Visaro platform, powered by Alert Microfinance Bank's credit engine in the background.