The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement that will, for the first time, permit direct scheduled air services between the two countries.
The historic agreement was formalised at the High Commission of Canada in Abuja, where the Director of Air Transport Management in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, represented the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN. He was joined by Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs, Ms. Shendra Melia.
The signing followed a technical review work session during which both sides reviewed the existing Bilateral Air Services framework and reached consensus that led to the Agreed Minutes.
Under the expanded agreement, Nigeria and Canada can now designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services between the two countries. The deal allows a capacity of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the designated airlines of each country. It also grants Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, enabling cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries as long as the service originates or terminates in the airline’s home country.
The new framework is expected to significantly improve air connectivity by paving the way for direct flights. This will reduce travel time, enhance passenger convenience, lower logistics costs, and strengthen commercial, educational and cultural ties between Nigeria and Canada.
The development is particularly important given the strong people-to-people links between both nations. As of 31 March 2026, more than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits, making Nigeria one of Canada’s major international student source countries. The enhanced aviation arrangement is expected to further support educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment and family reunification.
The original Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement and formally signed in March 2025. The current expansion represents the first major upgrade of the bilateral air services framework in more than a decade.
