Nigeria and Russia to Update Aviation Agreement by 2027

Nigeria and Russia have initiated efforts to replace their 59-year-old Bilateral Air Services Agreement to strengthen aviation cooperation and enhance air transport connectivity. The Federal Government announced that both nations aim to finalize negotiations within six months, with a new agreement scheduled to be signed in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.

This decision emerged from a bilateral meeting during the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, led by Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Russia's State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport, Dmitry Zverev. The discussions focused on modernizing the existing agreement, which has governed air transport relations since 1967.

The proposed new framework is expected to reflect contemporary developments in international aviation and create opportunities for improved connectivity. Both countries have formed separate negotiating teams to begin work immediately, although specific routes, airlines, or flight frequencies were not detailed in the statement.