Nigeria's Festus Keyamo Leads Aviation Talks with Russia

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led a delegation to a high-level bilateral meeting with Russia during the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. The meeting focused on strengthening aviation relations and expanding cooperation in the air transport sector.

A key outcome was the decision to renegotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), originally established in 1967, to create a new agreement that reflects current developments in international aviation. Both countries agreed to a six-month timeline to finalize negotiations and sign the new agreement in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.

To facilitate this, each side has formed negotiating teams to begin work immediately. The updated agreement is expected to enhance connectivity and collaboration between the aviation sectors of Nigeria and Russia.

The Nigerian delegation included Captain Chris Najomo, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila, Registrar of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and other officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.