The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening aviation cooperation with Canada as both countries step up discussions on launching direct flight operations and concluding a long-awaited Air Services Agreement (ASA) aimed at boosting connectivity, trade and bilateral relations.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, gave the assurance while receiving the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission to Nigeria, David Sproule, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the meeting focused on expanding bilateral air services, with particular emphasis on creating the framework required to commence direct flights between Nigeria and Canada.

Sproule disclosed that a high-level Canadian delegation would visit Nigeria in the first week of August to continue negotiations on the proposed Air Services Agreement and other outstanding issues.

He said Canada was also seeking to incorporate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into the broader cooperation framework to facilitate the orderly processing and removal of Nigerian nationals who are not legally entitled to remain in Canada.

According to him, the proposed SOPs would strengthen collaboration between both governments on immigration matters and help resolve one of the outstanding issues delaying approval for direct flight operations.

Sproule noted that the introduction of direct air services is expected to significantly increase passenger traffic between the two countries, making it necessary to establish effective immigration enforcement and repatriation procedures in advance.

Responding, Keyamo expressed optimism about the prospects of launching direct flights, noting that demand for non-stop services between Nigeria and Canada has remained consistently high.

He observed that thousands of passengers currently travelling between both countries are forced to transit through Europe or the United States because there are no direct air links.

The minister said the Federal Government remained committed to opening new international routes that would improve connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance passenger convenience and strengthen economic, commercial and people-to-people relations.

While acknowledging Canada’s concerns over the proposed Standard Operating Procedures, Keyamo explained that immigration and deportation issues fall outside the constitutional mandate of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

He said the matters would require collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant government agencies.

“The aviation component is one aspect of the discussions, while the immigration-related issues require the involvement of other relevant ministries. We are prepared to facilitate those engagements because if reaching an understanding on the SOP is what is required to move the process forward, then we will ensure the appropriate government institutions are brought into the discussions,” he said.

Both countries agreed to continue negotiations at a bilateral meeting scheduled for August 6, 2026, where officials are expected to address the remaining issues and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.

Although Keyamo said prior official engagements would prevent him from attending the meeting, he assured the Canadian delegation that senior officials of the ministry would represent Nigeria and continue the negotiations on behalf of the Federal Government.