The Government of Canada has announced an expanded air transport agreement with Nigeria, marking a historic milestone that will, for the first time, permit direct scheduled flights between both countries.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, who described the expanded pact as a game-changer for bilateral trade, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity.
“By expanding our air transport agreements, we are creating new opportunities for Canadian airlines and giving travellers more choice,” MacKinnon said. “The newly expanded Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement will strengthen our economic ties, support tourism and trade, and make it easier for people and businesses in both countries to connect.”
The expanded agreement replaces the original code-share-only arrangement negotiated in 2014 and signed in March 2025. It introduces several significant enhancements, including the right for both nations to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services between the two countries.
Under the new framework, airlines from each country are permitted a capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights. The agreement also 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.
In Abuja, the Federal Government of Nigeria also confirmed the signing. The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), was represented at the ceremony by Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management, who joined Canadian Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs, Ms. Shendra Melia, at the High Commission of Canada to formalise the historic agreement.
Economic and Commercial Significance
The development comes as Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy with a population exceeding 237 million, continues to deepen its commercial engagement with Canada. Nigeria is now Canada’s third-largest bilateral air market in Africa, following Morocco and Algeria, and the Canada-Nigeria air transport market has more than doubled in size over the past decade.
The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, highlighted the importance of the agreement for Canada’s trade diversification strategy and its ties with the Nigerian diaspora.
“I’ve seen that strength firsthand in communities like Brampton, home to one of the largest Nigerian Canadian communities in the country,” Sidhu said. “As a key economic partner, Nigeria offers opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers, while providing access to a growing market and expanding industries. This agreement will help deepen our commercial partnership, support Canada’s trade diversification, and bring families and communities closer together.”
Student Mobility and People-to-People Ties
The aviation pact is particularly significant given the strong educational ties between both nations. 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. The enhanced aviation framework is expected to further support educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment, and family reunification.
What the Agreement Means for Travellers and Businesses
With direct flights now permitted, travellers between Nigeria and Canada can expect reduced travel time, improved passenger convenience, and lower logistics costs. The agreement also opens new opportunities for Nigerian and Canadian airlines to expand their networks, while the inclusion of Fifth Freedom cargo rights is expected to boost freight movement and trade between both nations and beyond.
The expanded agreement was finalised following an extensive Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Expansion Technical Review Worksession, during which both delegations reviewed the existing Bilateral Air Services framework and reached a consensus that culminated in the signing of the Agreed Minutes.
A Decade in the Making
The Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement was originally negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement and formally signed in March 2025. The current expansion—the first since the original negotiation over a decade ago—represents a significant upgrade to the bilateral aviation framework.
Canada currently has air transport agreements or arrangements covering more than 125 countries and continues to work on new and expanded agreements to improve international connectivity and provide more options for travellers and shippers.
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