Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded air transport agreement that paves the way for direct scheduled flights between both countries for the first time, marking a significant step toward strengthening trade, tourism, investment, and educational exchanges.
The landmark agreement was signed in Abuja by representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Canada as part of efforts to deepen bilateral aviation relations and expand economic cooperation.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), was represented at the ceremony by the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Mohammed Tijjani, who signed the agreement alongside Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs, Shendra Melia, at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The agreement followed an extensive Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Expansion Technical Review Worksession, during which both sides reviewed the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement and agreed on an expanded framework.
The Nigerian delegation included the ministry’s Director of Legal Services, Jummai Yahaya; Director of Air Transport Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe; and other senior government officials.
Canada’s delegation was led by Melia and included Trade Policy Officer at Global Affairs Canada, Jathorsan Lingarajan, and Manager and Senior Policy Advisor at Transport Canada, Steven Worth, among other officials.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the expanded pact marks a major milestone in aviation relations between both countries.
“It introduces several important enhancements designed to improve connectivity, promote tourism, facilitate trade, and create new opportunities for airlines and businesses in both countries,” the statement said.
Under the agreement, both countries can designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services between Nigeria and Canada.
It also provides for up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for designated airlines from each country.
In addition, the agreement grants Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, allowing cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service begins or ends in the airline’s home country.
The ministry said the agreement is expected to improve air connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance passenger convenience, lower logistics costs, and strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Nigeria and Canada.
It noted that the development comes amid growing people-to-people relations, with more than 25,000 Nigerians holding valid Canadian study permits as of March 31, 2026, making Nigeria one of Canada’s leading sources of international students.
The enhanced aviation framework is also expected to boost educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment, and family reunification.
The ministry recalled that the Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was initially negotiated in 2014 as a code-share arrangement and formally signed in March 2025. It described the latest deal as the first major expansion of the bilateral air services framework in more than a decade.
