Nigeria, UAE strengthen aviation ties with amended BASA agreement
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have strengthened their aviation partnership with the signing of an amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Keyamo met with UAE’s Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, at the high-level event, reinforcing mutual aviation cooperation between both nations. The Nigerian delegation included Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other top aviation officials.
The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), brought together over 35 ministers, representatives from 191 countries, and 1,500 aviation professionals. The event also featured the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM), an initiative aimed at fostering innovation in sustainable aviation.
In a statement, the minister revealed that the revised BASA ensures reciprocal rights for both countries and strengthens aviation ties. He emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing air connectivity, expanding codeshare agreements, and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
During the signing ceremony, Al Marri commended Keyamo’s dedication to Nigeria-UAE aviation relations, stating, “The Nigerian Aviation Minister is a man who keeps his word, and for us, that’s everything.”
Beyond the BASA agreement, Keyamo pushed for a review of UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians, highlighting that easing the current policies would boost passenger traffic and economic benefits for both countries.
In a further step towards strengthening ties, both nations agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement focused on capacity building and support in key aviation areas, including safety, regulatory standards, airport facilitation, and security.
Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with the UAE to implement these agreements effectively, ensuring mutual economic and operational benefits.
