By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
For the tens of thousands of Nigerians travelling to Canada each year, often through connecting flights in Europe or the Middle East, that inconvenience could soon become a thing of the past, as Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement permitting direct scheduled flights between both countries for the first time.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, 6 August, 2026 at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja by officials of both countries, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, represented by the Director of Air Transport Management, Mohammed Tijjani.
According to a statement issued by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the agreement followed an extensive technical review of the existing Bilateral Air Services framework and comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to expand Nigeria’s international aviation partnerships and improve air connectivity.
“In a landmark step towards strengthening bilateral aviation relations and expanding economic cooperation, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement that will, for the first time, permit direct scheduled air services between both countries,” the statement read, describing the pact as a significant milestone introducing enhancements designed to improve connectivity, promote tourism, facilitate trade, and create new opportunities for airlines and businesses in both countries.
Highlighting the key provisions, the statement noted that the agreement grants both countries the right to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services between them, with a capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the designated airlines of each country.
It further stated that 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 home country.
The ministry expressed optimism that the agreement would transform air travel between both nations.
“The agreement is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity between Nigeria and Canada by paving the way for the commencement of direct flights, thereby reducing travel time, improving passenger convenience, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening commercial and cultural ties between both nations,” the statement said.
Underscoring the agreement’s significance for Nigerians studying and living in Canada, the ministry disclosed that as of March 31, 2026, more than 25,000 Nigerians hold valid Canadian study permits, making Nigeria one of Canada’s major international student source countries.
It added that the enhanced aviation framework is expected to further support educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment and family reunification, an outcome likely to resonate with the large Nigerian community in Canada that has long pushed for direct air links between both countries.
The ministry noted that the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement was initially negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement before it was formally signed in March 2025, describing the latest pact as the first major expansion of the bilateral air services framework in more than a decade.
