Nigeria, Russia Agree to Review 1967 Bilateral Air Services Agreement

Nigeria and Russia have agreed to renegotiate their Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which dates back to 1967, to reflect contemporary developments in international aviation.

The agreement was reached on Friday on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Russia, during a high-level bilateral meeting aimed at strengthening aviation relations.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led Nigeria's delegation, while the Russian side was led by the State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport, Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev.

A major outcome of the meeting was the resolution by both countries to establish a new BASA framework to replace the 1967 agreement.

According to a statement by the aviation ministry signed by the minister's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, both countries agreed on a six-month timeline to conclude negotiations and sign the new agreement in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.

To facilitate the process, both sides have constituted their respective negotiating teams to commence work immediately.

"The proposed agreement is expected to provide an updated framework for bilateral air transport relations and create opportunities for enhanced connectivity, closer institutional collaboration and mutually beneficial engagement between the aviation sectors of both countries," the statement said.

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, as well as directors from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA.

Beyond the review of the existing air services agreement, the meeting also explored other potential areas of cooperation, with both parties expressing commitment to deepening bilateral relations and identifying areas of shared interest in aviation and related sectors.