Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded air transport agreement that will allow airlines from both countries to operate direct scheduled passenger and cargo flights between the two countries.
The agreement was signed at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja on Thursday.
Nigeria’s delegation was led by Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while Canada was represented by Shendra Melia, Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs Canada.
Under the new arrangement, both countries can designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services, with each side allowed up to 14 passenger flights and 10 cargo flights per week.
The agreement also provides Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for cargo operations. This allows an airline to carry freight between two foreign countries as part of a service that starts or ends in its home country.
The Ministry of Aviation described the agreement as a major step forward in Nigeria-Canada aviation relations.
According to the ministry, the deal is expected to improve air connectivity, boost tourism and trade, and open up new opportunities for airlines and businesses in both countries.
The latest agreement marks the first major expansion of the bilateral air services framework since it was initially negotiated in 2014 as a code-share arrangement and formally signed in March 2025.
The development comes amid growing ties between Nigeria and Canada, particularly in education, business and family links.
As of March 31, 2026, more than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits, making Nigeria one of Canada’s major sources of international students.
The government said the expanded aviation agreement would support educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment and family visits.
The deal followed a technical review session during which officials from both countries examined the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement and discussed its expansion.
The Nigerian delegation also included Jummai Yahaya, Director of Legal Services at the ministry, and Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Director of Air Transport Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Canada’s team included Jathorsan Lingarajan of Global Affairs Canada and Steven Worth of Transport Canada.
Tijjani represented the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at the signing ceremony.
The Federal Government said the commencement of direct flights would cut travel time between Nigeria and Canada, make journeys more convenient for passengers and reduce logistics costs.
It added that the agreement would further strengthen the economic, commercial and cultural ties between both countries.
