Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reinforced their aviation partnership with the signing of an amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), aimed at enhancing air connectivity and strengthening bilateral relations.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a high-level meeting with UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri. The event took place on the sidelines of the 2025 ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS).
A statement from the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, described the development as a significant step toward expanding aviation cooperation between both nations.
The BASA agreement, which allows designated airlines from Nigeria and the UAE to operate direct flights between both countries, comes nearly a year after the UAE lifted its visa ban on Nigerian travelers and Emirates Airlines resumed operations following a dispute over trapped funds.
Keyamo stressed the importance of the amended agreement in ensuring reciprocal rights for airlines and improving passenger traffic between Nigeria and the UAE. He also advocated for a review of UAE visa restrictions on Nigerians, noting that easing travel conditions would foster economic growth for both countries.
“In a further boost to bilateral relations, both nations agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement focused on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety regulation, environmental standards, airport facilitation, and security,” the statement added.
The UAE’s Minister of Economy, Al Marri, praised Keyamo’s commitment to advancing aviation ties, stating, “The Nigeria Aviation Minister is a man who keeps his word, and for us, that’s everything.”
With this renewed agreement, Nigeria aims to elevate its aviation sector to global standards while fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties with the UAE.
