Festus Keyamo and Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev
After 59 years, Nigeria and Russia are set to modernise their aviation relationship.
The move followed a high-level bilateral meeting between both countries on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Russia, on Friday.
Nigeria’s delegation, led by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, met with the Russian team led by the State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev.
At the centre of the talks was the need to overhaul the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Russia, an agreement first signed in 1967 and long overdue for review.
Both sides agreed that the old framework no longer reflects current realities, emerging opportunities and contemporary developments in global aviation.
A major outcome of the meeting was a firm resolution to renegotiate and replace the 1967 agreement with a new, modern pact that will create room for enhanced connectivity and deeper collaboration between the aviation sectors of both countries.
To ensure swift progress, Nigeria and Russia have set a six-month timeline to conclude negotiations and sign the new agreement in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.
Both countries have immediately constituted their respective negotiating teams to commence work and meet the deadline.
The proposed new BASA is expected to provide an updated legal and operational framework for direct air services, while opening doors for closer institutional cooperation, increased trade, tourism and mutually beneficial engagement between both nations.
On the Nigerian delegation were the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, the Registrar of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila, as well as directors from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA.
Beyond the BASA review, the meeting also explored other potential areas of aviation cooperation, with both parties pledging to deepen bilateral relations and identify shared interests in aviation and related sectors in the coming months.
The renegotiation marks a significant step in Nigeria’s push to expand its international air transport network and strengthen strategic partnerships under the Renewed Hope agenda.
