Nigeria, Russia To Renegotiate 59-Year Air Services Agreement
Nigeria and Russia have agreed to renegotiate their Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), originally signed in 1967, as both countries seek to strengthen aviation cooperation and improve air transport relations.
The agreement was reached during a high-level bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Russia, on Monday.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led the country’s delegation to the meeting, where discussions were held with Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation.
Both countries agreed to conclude negotiations and sign a new agreement within six months, with the signing scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.
The proposed agreement is expected to replace the existing framework with one that reflects current developments in international aviation and creates opportunities for stronger connectivity and closer institutional collaboration.
To ensure the timeline is met, the two countries have constituted negotiating teams to commence work immediately on reviewing the existing agreement and developing a revised framework.
Beyond the renegotiation of the BASA, the meeting also explored other potential areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Russia in aviation and related sectors.
Both sides expressed their commitment to examining these opportunities in the coming months to deepen bilateral relations and identify areas of mutual interest.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; the Registrar of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila; and officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA.
The planned renegotiation marks a renewed effort by both countries to modernise their longstanding aviation relationship and establish a framework that supports emerging opportunities in international air transport.
