The Federal Government has signed the amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement was signed during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, in a high-level meeting with H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo,
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, 11 February, 2025.
Moshood stated that Keyamo was accompanied by Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olayinka T. Babaoye-Iriobe; Director, Air Transport Regulations, NCAA, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood; Director of Operations, FAAN, Mr. Ahmed Tijani; and Director, Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development as part of the Nigerian delegation.
According to statement, the ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), brought together over 35 Ministers, 191 countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the prestigious Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
“The signing of the amended BASA builds on last year’s negotiations, ensuring reciprocal rights for both countries and fostering deeper aviation collaboration. The Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines,” part of the statement read.
Moshood stated that the Minister also advocated for a review of UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians, stressing that easing the current conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes, benefiting both nations’ economies.
He added that both countries agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement focusing on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety and regulatory, environment, airport facilitation and security to further boost their bilateral relations.
