The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening aviation ties with Canada as both countries intensify efforts to establish direct flight operations.
Keyamo gave the assurance while receiving the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission to Nigeria, David Sproule, who led a delegation comprising the Deputy High Commissioner, Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, and Trade Commissioner, Funmike Sojinuga, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, discussions centred on expanding bilateral air services, with particular emphasis on creating the framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Canada.
During the meeting, Sproule disclosed that a high-level Canadian delegation would visit Nigeria in the first week of August to continue negotiations on the proposed Air Services Agreement and other related issues.
The Canadian envoy also raised the need to incorporate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into the broader bilateral framework to facilitate the processing and repatriation of Nigerian nationals who are not legally entitled to remain in Canada.
He said the proposed SOP would strengthen cooperation on immigration matters and address one of the outstanding issues delaying approvals for direct flight operations between the two countries.
Sproule noted that direct air connectivity would likely increase passenger traffic and place greater pressure on existing immigration enforcement and repatriation processes if appropriate procedures were not established beforehand.
Responding, Keyamo welcomed the progress in the discussions, describing the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Canada as long overdue.
He noted that demand for a direct air link has remained high among Nigerian travellers, with thousands of passengers currently transiting through Europe and the United States because of the absence of a direct route.
According to the minister, expanding international air connectivity remains a key priority of the Federal Government, as it would improve passenger convenience, reduce travel time and strengthen economic and people-to-people relations between both countries.
While acknowledging Canada’s concerns over the proposed SOP, Keyamo said immigration and deportation matters fall outside the mandate of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
He explained that the issues would require collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant government agencies.
“The aviation component is one aspect of the discussions, while the immigration-related issues require the involvement of other relevant ministries. We are prepared to facilitate those engagements because if reaching an understanding on the SOP is what is required to move the process forward, then we will ensure the appropriate government institutions are brought into the discussions,” he said.
Both countries agreed to continue negotiations at a bilateral meeting scheduled for August 6, 2026, where officials are expected to address the outstanding issues and work towards finalising an agreement.
Although Keyamo said he would be unable to attend the meeting due to prior official engagements, he assured the Canadian delegation that senior ministry officials would represent the Federal Government and continue the negotiations.
