The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially signed the amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This significant agreement was finalized during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, which took place in Abu Dhabi.

The signing ceremony featured a high-level meeting with H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, who serves as both the UAE Minister of Economy and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, led the Nigerian delegation, which included several key officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), gathered over 35 ministers, representatives from 191 countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the luxurious Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental.

The amended BASA is designed to build on last year’s negotiations, ensuring reciprocal rights for both Nigeria and the UAE, while enhancing aviation collaboration between the two nations. Keyamo highlighted the necessity of improving connectivity, focusing on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.

Additionally, the Minister urged for a review of the UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians, suggesting that relaxing these conditions would lead to increased passenger traffic on designated routes, ultimately benefiting the economies of both countries.

Both nations also agreed to establish a Technical Cooperation Agreement aimed at capacity building and technical support in critical aviation areas, which include safety, regulatory compliance, environmental concerns, airport facilitation, and security.