The Governments of Canada and Nigeria have signed an expanded air transport agreement, including direct flights between Canada and Nigeria.
Yesterday, the Governments of Canada and Nigeria inked an expanded air transport agreement that allow for direct flights between Canada and Nigeria for the first time. The agreement will allow greater connectivity for both travel and commerce. For Canada, it’s their latest effort to diversify trade as they navigate a historic trade war with the United States, including another round of 50% tariffs set to take effect on August 19, 2026.
Nigeria is the third largest economy in Africa after South Africa and Egypt, and boasts a GDP of $375 billion USD supported by oil, tech and agriculture. The West African nation also has the largest consumer market in Africa with a population of more than 237 million people.
According a statement from the Government of Canada, the expanded agreement includes:
- The right for Canada and Nigeria to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services between the two countries
- A capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the airlines of each country
- Fifth freedom rights for all-cargo flights (the ability to operate flights between two foreign countries if the flight either starts or ends in the airline’s home country)
The announcement was made by the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, who sees this as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two nations.
“By expanding our air transport agreements, we are creating new opportunities for Canadian airlines and giving travellers more choice”, he explains. “The newly expanded Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement will strengthen our economic ties, support tourism and trade, and making it easier for people and businesses in both countries to connect.”
His Nigerian counterpart, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, sees the agreement as a win-win for both countries.
“I’ve seen that strength firsthand in communities like Brampton, home to one of the largest Nigerian Canadian communities in the country”, he adds. “As a key economic partner, Nigeria offers opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers, while providing access to a growing market and expanding industries. This agreement will help deepen our commercial partnership, support Canada’s trade diversification, and bring families and communities closer together.”
The new agreement expands on the Canada-Nigeria Air Transport code-share agreement negotiated in 2014 and signed in March 2025.
The agreement also expands on the longstanding relations between the countries. According to Statistics Canada census data, there are over 81,000 Nigerian-born immigrants living in Canada, as well as over 25,000 Nigerian study permit holders as of March 31, 2026.
In turn, Nigeria was Canada’s 38th-largest international air transport market in 2025 and is now its third-largest bilateral air market in Africa (after Morocco and Algeria).
Kevin Bourne is a long-time business and arts & culture journlaist, and editor-in-chief of SHIFTER.
Related content:
PORTER AIRLINES APPROVED TO FLY TO BARBADOS, ARUBA, AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC