The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has signed an amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the UAE in Abu Dhabi, securing technical training and enhancing aviation collaboration.
Spokesman for the minister, Mr Tunde Moshood disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the amendment was signed during a meeting with UAE’s minister of economy, Mr Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, on the sideline of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 hosted by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The signing of the amended BASA builds on last year’s negotiations, ensuring reciprocal rights for both countries and fostering deeper aviation collaboration.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Keyamo emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
In a further boost to bilateral relations, 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.
Beyond the BASA agreement, Keyamo 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.
“This cooperation reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to elevating its aviation sector to global best practices while deepening ties with international partners,” Keyamo said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with the UAE to implement the agreements effectively, ensuring that both nations maximize the economic and operational benefits of this strengthened partnership.
Also speaking, Marri lauded Keyamo’s commitment to advancing Nigeria-UAE aviation relations.
The minister was accompanied on the trip by the director general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Ona Najomo, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, director, Air Transport Regulations at NCAA, Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, director of operations, FAAN, Capt Abdullahi Mahmood, and the director, air transport management, ministry of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Ahmed Tijani.
The ICAO GISS 2025 brought together over 35 ministers, 191 countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the prestigious Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
The event also featured the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM)—an ambitious initiative by the UAE to drive collaboration and innovation in sustainable aviation.
