The governments of Nigeria and Canada have announced a landmark expansion of their bilateral Air Transport Agreement — opening the two countries' aviation markets to multiple airline designations, up to 14 weekly scheduled passenger flights, 10 weekly all-cargo flights in each direction, and fifth-freedom traffic rights for cargo operations.
The expanded agreement, announced on 7 August 2026, represents the first significant update since the agreement was originally negotiated in 2014. It responds to what Transport Canada described as a more-than-doubling of the Canada-Nigeria air transport market over the previous ten years, driven by Nigeria's large diaspora in Canada and the over 25,000 Nigerians holding valid Canadian study permits as of March 2026. Canada is Nigeria's 38th-largest international air transport market overall and its third-largest bilateral air market in Africa after Morocco and Algeria.
What the Expanded Agreement Provides
The key provisions include the right for both Nigeria and Canada to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services — moving beyond the previous code-share only arrangement. The capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger and 10 all-cargo flights in each direction creates substantial runway for incumbent and new entrant carriers. The fifth-freedom cargo rights are particularly commercially significant — allowing, for example, a Nigerian cargo carrier to pick up freight in Canada, carry it to a third country, and continue operations without returning directly to Nigeria, mirroring traffic rights that have enabled cargo hub development in other African markets.
The Diaspora and Education Market
The over 25,000 Nigerian study permit holders in Canada represent a substantial base of high-frequency travellers who currently navigate the route through hubs in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Doha, and Atlanta. The expanded agreement creates the framework for airlines to serve this market more efficiently with direct or one-stop services. For Nigeria, the deal complements Minister Keyamo's international route expansion strategy — with United Nigeria Airlines having received government approval for a Canada route alongside New York and Dubai services in June 2026. Whether United Nigeria Airlines or Air Peace can bring sufficient aircraft capacity to the Canada market will be the practical test of whether the expanded agreement translates into improved connectivity for Nigerian travellers.
