The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has signed an amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), solidifying mutual aviation ties between the two nations.
The landmark agreement was executed during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, a high-level meeting with Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy.
According to a statement from the ministry, the signing of the amended BASA builds on last year’s negotiations, ensuring reciprocal rights for both countries and fostering deeper aviation collaboration.
The agreement aims to enhance connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
Nigeria’s Aviation Minister emphasized the importance of easing visa restrictions on Nigerians, which would increase passenger traffic on designated routes and benefit both nations’ economies.
In addition to the BASA agreement, 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.
This cooperation reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to elevating its aviation sector to global best practices while deepening ties with international partners.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with the UAE to implement these agreements effectively, ensuring that both nations maximize the economic and operational benefits of this strengthened partnership.
Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, praised Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, saying, “The Nigeria Aviation Minister is a man who keeps his words and for us, that’s everything,” acknowledging his commitment to advancing Nigeria-UAE aviation relations.
The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), 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.
