Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded air transport agreement that paves the way for direct scheduled flights between both countries while boosting trade, tourism, investment and educational exchanges.
The landmark agreement was signed in Abuja by officials of both governments following a comprehensive technical review of the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was represented at the signing by the Director of Air Transport Management, Mohammed Tijjani. He signed the agreement alongside Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs, Shendra Melia, at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The agreement followed the Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Expansion Technical Review Worksession, where both delegations reviewed the existing aviation framework before signing the Agreed Minutes.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the revised agreement marks a major milestone in aviation cooperation between both countries.
“The expanded agreement marks a significant milestone in the aviation relationship between Nigeria and Canada.
“It introduces several important enhancements designed to improve connectivity, promote tourism, facilitate trade, and create new opportunities for airlines and businesses in both countries.”
One of the major provisions allows both countries to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services between Nigeria and Canada.
The agreement also grants each country an allocation of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for designated airlines.
In addition, it provides Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for cargo operations, enabling designated airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the journey begins or ends in the airline’s home country.
The Federal Government said the expanded framework is expected to improve connectivity by enabling direct flights, reducing travel time, lowering logistics costs and making travel more convenient for passengers.
It also believes the agreement will strengthen commercial, cultural and economic ties between both nations.
The ministry noted that the deal comes at a time of growing people-to-people relations, particularly in education.
“As of March 31, 2026, more than 25,000 Nigerians hold valid Canadian study permits, making Nigeria one of Canada’s major international student source countries.”
According to the ministry, the expanded air services agreement is expected to further support educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment and family reunification.
The statement recalled that the Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was first negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement before it was formally signed in March 2025.
The latest agreement represents the first major expansion of the bilateral aviation framework in more than a decade.
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