Nigeria and Canada signed an expanded air transport agreement on Thursday in Abuja, officially enabling direct scheduled flights between both nations for the first time.
Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, signed the deal alongside Shendra Melia, Canada’s Senior Air Negotiator for Global Affairs.
Tijjani acted on behalf of Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Minister, noted that technical experts from both countries evaluated the existing bilateral air services framework before concluding the agreement.
Under the expanded air transport agreement, both Nigeria and Canada have the right to select multiple airlines to conduct scheduled trips between the two countries.
“A capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the designated airlines of each country,” the statement reads.
“The granting of Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, allowing cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service originates or terminates in the airline’s home country.”
In addition, this newly signed agreement will boost air connectivity by introducing direct routes, trimming travel hours, improving passenger ease, and driving down shipping fees, according to the statement. Beyond cheaper logistics, it strengthens commercial and cultural ties between both nations.
Moshood emphasized that this broader framework will also streamline student exchanges, corporate trips, tourism, trade investments, and family visits.
“The Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was originally negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement and formally signed in March 2025,” he said.
“The current agreement represents the first major expansion of the bilateral air services framework since its negotiation over a decade ago.”
Backstory…
The agreement comes less than two weeks after Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development emphasized the Government’s commitment to deepening aviation ties with Canada as the two nations open talks on establishing Nigeria-Canada direct flights.
The Minister offered this assurance to David Sproule, Chargé d’Affaires of the High Commission of Canada to Nigeria, who led a delegation including Deputy High Commissioner Carlos Rojas-Arbulú and Trade Commissioner Funmike Sojinuga on a courtesy visit to his Abuja office.
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