Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement that will, for the first time, permit direct scheduled air services between the two countries.
The landmark agreement, aimed at strengthening bilateral aviation relations and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, who was represented by the Director of Air Transport Management in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani.
He joined Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs Canada, Ms Shendra Melia, at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja to formalise the historic agreement.
The development was announced in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Mr Tunde Moshood.
The signing followed an extensive Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Expansion Technical Review Worksession, during which both delegations reviewed the existing Bilateral Air Services framework and reached a consensus that culminated in the signing of the Agreed Minutes.
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The Nigerian delegation included Mr Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management; Mrs Jummai Yahaya, Director of Legal Services at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Mrs Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Director of Air Transport Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); and other senior government officials.
The Canadian delegation was led by Ms Shendra Melia, Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs Canada, and included Mr Jathorsan Lingarajan, Trade Policy Officer at Global Affairs Canada; Mr. Steven Worth, Manager and Senior Policy Adviser at Transport Canada; and other government officials.
The expanded agreement marks a significant milestone in aviation relations between Nigeria and Canada. It introduces key enhancements aimed at improving air connectivity, promoting tourism, facilitating trade, and creating new opportunities for airlines and businesses in both countries.
Under the new agreement, both countries will be able to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services between Nigeria and Canada.
The arrangement also provides for up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights by 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 originates or terminates in the airline’s country of origin.
The agreement is expected to significantly improve air connectivity by paving the way for direct flights between Nigeria and Canada. This is expected to reduce travel time, enhance passenger convenience, lower logistics costs, and strengthen commercial, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
The development comes amid growing relations between both countries. As of 31 March 2026, more than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits, making Nigeria one of Canada’s leading sources of international students. The expanded aviation framework is expected to further support educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment, and family reunification.
The Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was originally negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement and was formally signed in March 2025. The latest agreement represents the first major expansion of the bilateral air services framework since its initial negotiation more than a decade ago
