Nigeria and Russia to Renegotiate 1967 Aviation Agreement

Nigeria and Russia have agreed to renegotiate their Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), a framework governing air transport that has remained unchanged since 1967. The decision was reached during a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow between Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Dmitry Zverev, Russia's State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport.

Both nations established a six-month timeline to conclude negotiations, with the goal of signing a modernized agreement in Saint Petersburg in April 2027. To meet this deadline, both governments have constituted dedicated negotiating teams to begin work immediately.

The updated pact aims to modernize aviation standards, enhance connectivity, and create new investment opportunities to reflect contemporary global aviation developments. Beyond the air services framework, the delegations discussed broader cooperation in aviation-related sectors to deepen bilateral economic and institutional relations.