Nigeria has formally signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Trinidad and Tobago, concluding a deal that had remained dormant for over two decades.
The agreement marks a historic first—making Nigeria the first African country to establish such an aviation partnership with a Caribbean nation.
The announcement was made on Monday by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The signing ceremony took place at the VIP lounge of Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and Tobago.
Keyamo, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, stated that negotiations for the deal originally began more than 20 years ago but had been stalled until now.
Describing the move as a milestone, he highlighted its strategic significance in boosting trans-Atlantic connectivity and strengthening Nigeria’s aviation footprint across the South American and Caribbean regions.
“In our continued effort to open up the South American and Caribbean routes to Nigeria, earlier today I signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago that has been in limbo for more than two decades when negotiations began,” Keyamo said.
He also noted that the agreement represents more than just air connectivity—it symbolises a deepening of economic and social cooperation between nations of the Global South in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
With the agreement in place, direct air links between West Africa and the Caribbean are now a possibility, potentially reducing travel time, enhancing trade opportunities, and improving ease of movement for passengers and businesses alike.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Aviation Ties
The signing comes amid a broader push by Nigeria to expand its global aviation partnerships and enhance international air connectivity.
In February 2025, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates amended their existing BASA to bolster code-share arrangements. The changes allow airlines from both countries to operate shared flights and sell tickets across one another’s networks—strengthening interline cooperation and improving convenience for passengers.
In March 2025, Nigeria signed a new BASA with Canada, introducing code-sharing agreements aimed at facilitating seamless travel between both nations.
Meanwhile, discussions between Nigeria and Brazil are progressing, with plans to activate a direct air services agreement. This initiative follows commitments made in February 2024 by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa.