Nigeria and Canada have reached a major milestone in their aviation relationship with the signing of an expanded air transport agreement that will enable direct scheduled flights between both countries for the first time.
The agreement was signed in Abuja on Thursday by Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who represented the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Canada was represented by Shendra Melia, the country’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs.
According to a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, the new agreement followed a technical review of the existing bilateral air services arrangement by representatives of both nations.
Under the expanded framework, both Nigeria and Canada will now be permitted to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services 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.
READ ALSO: Canada Sets New Immigration Cap, Nigerians Face Tougher Limits
“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.”
The ministry said the revised agreement is expected to enhance air connectivity by making direct flights possible, cutting travel time, improving convenience for passengers, lowering logistics costs, and deepening commercial and cultural relations between Nigeria and Canada.
Moshood added that the expanded aviation arrangement is also expected to promote educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment opportunities, and family reunification.
“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.”
The development comes shortly after the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development announced that officials from Nigeria and Canada would resume discussions on August 6 to address outstanding issues delaying the launch of direct flight operations between the two countries.