Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed an amended bilateral air service agreement (BASA).
Minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement during the ICAO global implementation support symposium (GISS) 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement is expected to, among others, solidify mutual aviation ties between both nations.
Special adviser on media and communications to the minister, Tunde Moshood, said in a statement that the signing took place during a high-level meeting with Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s minister of economy.
The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general (DG) of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), gathered over 35 ministers, 191 countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental.
The event also featured the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM), a UAE initiative to drive collaboration and innovation in sustainable aviation.
Moshood explained that the signing of the amended BASA builds on last year’s negotiations, ensuring reciprocal rights for both countries and fostering deeper aviation collaboration.
“The minister emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines,” he added.
According to the statement, during the signing ceremony, Al Marri praised Keyamo, acknowledging his commitment to advancing Nigeria-UAE aviation relations.
The statement further noted that both countries also agreed to sign a technical cooperation agreement focusing on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas.
Moshood said the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the UAE to successfully implement the agreements, ensuring both countries fully leverage the economic and operational advantages of the strengthened partnership.
