Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded bilateral air transport agreement that clears the way for the first direct scheduled flights between the two countries, boosting prospects for trade, tourism, education and investment links.
The agreement was formalised in Abuja by representatives of both governments. Mohammed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, signed on behalf of Minister Festus Keyamo. Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs, Shendra Melia, signed for the Canadian side at the High Commission of Canada.
The deal followed a technical review of the existing framework. It allows each country to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services. Capacity is set at 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights per side. All-cargo operators also gain Fifth Freedom rights, enabling them to carry freight between foreign points provided the service begins or ends in their home country.
Officials say the expanded pact will cut travel times, lower logistics costs and strengthen commercial and people-to-people ties. More than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits as of 31 March 2026, underscoring the scale of educational links the new air rights are expected to support.
The original Nigeria-Canada air services arrangement, negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only deal and formally signed in March 2025, has now received its first major upgrade more than a decade after talks began.
The statement from the Nigerian ministry described the agreement as a significant milestone that improves connectivity and creates new opportunities for airlines and businesses in both countries.
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