Exclusive: Canada-Nigeria Direct Flights Long Overdue, Will Cut Travel Cost, Time — FG

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

The Federal Government has welcomed Canada’s expansion of its air transport agreement with Nigeria, describing the introduction of direct flights between both countries as long overdue.

The  Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the development would reduce travel costs and time for Nigerians travelling to Canada, while strengthening economic activities and people-to-people ties between both countries.

In an exclusive interview with Persecondnews on Friday, the spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa Imomotimi, said Nigeria was aware of the expanded agreement and welcomed the opportunity to improve connectivity with Canada.

“Yes, the Ministry is aware of the development. Direct flights between Nigeria and Canada are long overdue because we have a large Nigerian population in Canada,” the spokesperson said.

The ministry said removing the need for indirect connections would make travel more convenient for Nigerians and Canadians while potentially reducing the financial burden associated with travelling between both countries.

“It will reduce cost and also travel time. It will boost economic activities between the two countries,” the spokesperson told Persecondnews.

Persecondnews recalls that the Canadian government through its Transport Minister, Stephen Mackinnon on Thursday, announced that the expanded bilateral agreement allows multiple airlines from both countries to operate scheduled air services between Nigeria and Canada.

Under the new arrangement, airlines from each country can operate up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights.

The agreement also provides fifth-freedom rights for all-cargo services, allowing airlines to operate between two foreign countries where the flight begins or ends in the airline’s home.

According to the minister, Nigeria was Canada’s 38th-largest international air transport market in 2025 and its third-largest bilateral air market in Africa, after Morocco and Algeria.

The Canada-Nigeria air transport market has more than doubled over the past decade, reflecting growing commercial and people-to-people links between both countries.

The expanded agreement is the first expansion of the Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement since 2014. The agreement was negotiated in 2014 and signed in March 2025.