Friday, August 7, 2026 - Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement that will allow direct scheduled flights between both countries for the first time, in a move aimed at strengthening trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people connections.
The agreement was signed on Thursday at the Canadian High
Commission in Abuja by officials from both countries, with Nigeria’s Minister
of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, represented by the
Director of Air Transport Management, Mohammed Tijjani.
The development forms part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to
expand international aviation partnerships, improve air connectivity and
attract more global airlines under the Federal Government’s aviation reform
agenda.
In recent months, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace
Development has intensified negotiations with several countries to review
Bilateral Air Services Agreements, create more opportunities for Nigerian
carriers and increase access to international routes.
Direct flights between Nigeria and Canada have been a
long-standing demand among travellers, businesses and members of the Nigerian
community in Canada, amid growing links in trade, education and tourism.
According to a statement issued by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and
Communications, Tunde Moshood, the agreement followed an extensive technical
review of the existing bilateral aviation framework.
“In a landmark step towards strengthening bilateral aviation
relations and expanding economic cooperation, 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
both countries,” the statement said.
“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.”
The agreement allows both Nigeria and Canada to designate
multiple airlines to operate scheduled services between the two countries. It
also provides capacity allowances of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly
all-cargo flights for designated airlines from each country.
he pact further grants fifth freedom traffic rights for
all-cargo operations, allowing cargo airlines to transport freight between two
foreign countries where the service originates from or terminates in the
airline’s home country. The Federal Government said the agreement would
significantly improve travel between Nigeria and Canada by reducing journey
times, lowering logistics costs and increasing convenience for passengers and
businesses.
“The agreement is expected to significantly enhance air
connectivity between Nigeria and Canada by paving the way for the commencement
of direct flights, thereby reducing travel time, improving passenger
convenience, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening commercial and
cultural ties between both nations,” the ministry said.
The government also highlighted the importance of the
agreement for Nigerians living, working and studying in Canada. More than
25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits as of March 31, 2026, making
Nigeria one of Canada’s major sources of international students. The ministry
said the improved aviation framework would support educational exchanges,
tourism, business travel, investment opportunities and family reunification
between the two countries.
The Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was initially
negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement before being formally
signed in March 2025. The latest agreement represents the first major expansion
of the bilateral air services framework between the two countries in more than
a decade.
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