The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has signed the amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement, he hinted was executed during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, in a high-level meeting with Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, solidifying mutual aviation ties between both nations.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), brought together over 35 ministers, 191 countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
He noted: “The signing of the amended BASA builds on last year’s negotiations, ensuring reciprocal rights for both countries and fostering deeper aviation collaboration.
He said Keyamo emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding code share agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
Moshood quoted Al Marri to have lauded Keyamo, describing him a man of his words
“Let me say this on camera now, the Nigeria Aviation Minister is a man who keeps his words and for us, that’s everything”, acknowledging his commitment to advancing Nigeria-UAE aviation relations,” he said.
Beyond the BASA agreement, Keyamo advocated for a review of UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians, stressing that easing the current conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes, benefiting both nations’ economies.
In a further boost to bilateral relations, both countries agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement focusing on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety and regulatory, environment, airport facilitation and securit
The event also featured the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM)—an ambitious initiative by the UAE to drive collaboration and innovation in sustainable aviation.