Nigeria has officially signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Trinidad and Tobago, paving the way for direct air connectivity between West Africa and the Caribbean. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago.
The BASA, which had been under negotiation for more than two decades, marks a historic milestone—making Nigeria the first African country to formalize such an aviation partnership with a Caribbean nation.
Announcing the development via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Keyamo highlighted the strategic importance of the agreement in Nigeria’s broader push to expand trans-Atlantic air routes and strengthen South-South cooperation.
“In our continued effort to open up the South American and Caribbean routes to Nigeria, I signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago, which has been in limbo for over two decades,” he stated.
According to the minister, the agreement is expected to significantly reduce travel time and costs between the regions, unlocking new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Keyamo also described the deal as part of Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties among Global South countries amid evolving global economic and geopolitical dynamics.
The agreement adds to Nigeria’s growing portfolio of international aviation partnerships. In February 2025, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates amended their BASA to expand code-share arrangements and enhance bilateral cooperation. A similar agreement was signed with Canada in March 2025, improving connectivity and passenger convenience.
Additionally, Nigeria and Brazil are in advanced talks to activate their BASA, following a joint commitment by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in February 2024 to establish direct air links between the two nations.
With the new pact, Nigeria takes another step toward becoming a key aviation hub, bridging Africa with the Caribbean and the Americas.
