Nigeria and Canada have intensified efforts to establish direct air connectivity as both countries move closer to concluding negotiations on a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, said that the Federal government was ready to ensure the conclusion of the BASA arrangement.

Speaking in Abuja when receiving Canada’s Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, David Sproule, who led a delegation from the Canadian High Commission on a courtesy visit, Keyamo said that both countries sought to create the framework required for the commencement of direct flights between them.

According to the statement, Keyamo welcomed the progress in the negotiations for direct flight services, expressing that this was long overdue, given the consistently high travel demand.

He said passenger traffic figures showed that thousands of Nigerians travelling to Canada each week were forced to transit through Europe or the United States because of the absence of direct air services.

The minister assured that the Federal government remained committed to opening new international routes that would improve connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance passenger convenience and boost trade, investment and people-to-people relations between both countries.

Talking on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Keyamo explained that immigration and deportation matters were outside the mandate of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

He said the issues would require collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant government agencies.

“The aviation component is one aspect of the discussions, while the immigration-related issues require the involvement of other relevant ministries.

“We are prepared to facilitate those engagements because if reaching an understanding on the SOP is what is required to move the process forward, then we will ensure the appropriate government institutions are brought into the discussions,” he said.

Earlier, Sproule expressed that a high-level Canadian delegation would visit Nigeria in the first week of August to continue discussions on the proposed BASA and other outstanding issues.

The Canadian envoy, however, stressed the need to incorporate SOPs into the wider cooperation framework to facilitate the processing and repatriation of Nigerian nationals who are not legally entitled to remain in Canada.

According to him, the proposed SOPs would enhance collaboration between both governments on immigration matters and remove one of the major hurdles delaying the approvals required for direct flight operations.

He also noted that direct flights were expected to increase passenger traffic between both countries, making it necessary to strengthen immigration enforcement and repatriation procedures before the route is launched.

The two countries agreed to continue negotiations at a bilateral meeting scheduled for August 6, 2026, where officials are expected to address the remaining issues and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.