Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement that will, for the first time, allow direct scheduled flights between both countries.
The agreement, signed in Abuja by officials from both nations, expands the existing bilateral air services framework by allowing multiple designated airlines to operate up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly cargo flights each. It also grants Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations.
The new deal is expected to improve air connectivity, boost trade, tourism, business travel, investment, educational exchanges, and strengthen cultural ties. It is particularly significant as more than 25,000 Nigerians currently hold valid Canadian study permits.
The agreement marks the first major expansion of the Nigeria–Canada Air Transport framework since it was originally negotiated in 2014.
