In a significant move to bolster aviation relations, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday signed an amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement, finalized during a high-level meeting with UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, took place in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with the 2025 ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS).
BASA agreements allow for mutual civil aviation certifications between two countries, facilitating smoother airline operations and broader international connectivity. The amended deal marks a positive step forward for both nations’ aviation sectors, following the UAE’s decision last year to lift its visa ban on Nigerian citizens and the subsequent resumption of Emirates Airlines flights after a suspension caused by issues surrounding repatriation of trapped funds.
Keyamo also called for a reconsideration of the UAE’s visa policies for Nigerians, highlighting that loosening restrictions could stimulate passenger traffic and benefit the economies of both countries. This move is expected to open up new opportunities for collaboration in aviation, trade, and tourism, paving the way for stronger ties between the two nations.
Image-by-Gerd-Altmann-from-Pixabay
