Nigeria, Russia Move To Replace 59-year Air Services Agreement

Nigeria and Russia have agreed to renegotiate their 59-year-old Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), in a move aimed at modernising air transport relations, improving connectivity and creating new investment opportunities between the two countries.

The agreement to review the existing aviation framework was reached during a high-level bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, and Russian officials on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Friday.

Both countries have set a six-month timeline to conclude negotiations and sign a new agreement in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.

The existing BASA, which dates back to 1967, provides the framework for regulating air services between the two countries.

Its proposed replacement is expected to reflect developments in the global aviation industry and address emerging opportunities in international air transport.

Keyamo, who led the Nigerian delegation, met with Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev, state secretary and deputy minister of transport of the Russian Federation, where both sides agreed on the need to update the decades-old agreement.

To ensure that the April 2027 deadline is achieved, Nigeria and Russia have constituted their respective negotiating teams, which are expected to commence work immediately.

The proposed agreement could provide a fresh framework for expanding aviation cooperation, strengthening institutional relationships and improving opportunities for air connectivity between both countries.

Although details of the proposed changes were not disclosed, the renegotiation comes at a time when countries are increasingly reviewing bilateral aviation arrangements to reflect changing market conditions, airline operations and opportunities for international connectivity.

Special adviser to the minister, Tunde Moshood said beyond the BASA review, the meeting also considered other areas of potential cooperation in aviation and related sectors.

Both delegations expressed their commitment to exploring these opportunities in the coming months as part of efforts to deepen bilateral relations and identify areas of mutual economic benefit.

The Nigerian delegation included the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; registrar of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila; and directors from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA.

The outcome of the negotiations will determine the extent to which the new agreement translates into expanded air transport opportunities, stronger aviation-sector collaboration and potential commercial benefits for both countries.