Nigeria and Canada have moved crucial negotiations on direct flight operations into the first week of August as both countries work to resolve outstanding Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that Canadian authorities say are necessary before approving non-stop services.
The development emerged during a meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and Canada’s Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, David Sproule, in Abuja, according to a statement signed by Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
Although demand for direct flights continues to grow, discussions revealed that immigration-related procedures, rather than aviation issues, have become the final hurdle.
The Canadian envoy, who led a delegation including Deputy High Commissioner Carlos Rojas-Arbulú and Trade Commissioner Funmike Sojinuga, said a high-level Canadian team would arrive in Nigeria during the first week of August.
The visit will continue negotiations on the proposed Air Services Agreement and address unresolved operational issues delaying approvals.
Rather than focusing solely on air transport, the discussions centred on establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing the processing and return of Nigerian nationals who no longer have legal status in Canada. Canadian officials believe resolving those procedures is essential before direct air services can commence.
Canadian envoy says SOPs remain key to direct flights
According to Ambassador Sproule, the proposed SOPs would provide both governments with a clear operational framework for handling immigration-related matters while ensuring cooperation between relevant agencies.
He explained that direct flights would naturally increase passenger traffic between both countries. Consequently, Canada wants agreed SOPs in place to manage immigration enforcement and repatriation efficiently before the route becomes operational.
The envoy indicated that these arrangements represent one of the remaining requirements for Canada to complete its approval process for direct flights.
Responding, Keyamo welcomed Canada’s commitment to strengthening aviation ties, describing direct flights as long overdue considering the significant number of Nigerians travelling to Canada each year through Europe and the United States.
He noted that passenger demand has remained consistently strong, making a direct connection commercially viable while reducing travel time and improving convenience for travellers.
From an aviation standpoint, the Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to expand Nigeria’s international air connectivity, strengthen bilateral relations and stimulate trade, investment and tourism.
However, he clarified that the proposed SOPs fall outside the constitutional responsibilities of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Instead, he explained that immigration, deportation and border management are matters for 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,” Keyamo said.
Therefore, both countries agreed to continue negotiations during a bilateral meeting scheduled for August 6, 2026, when officials will attempt to resolve the outstanding issues preventing final approval.
Although Keyamo disclosed that prior official commitments would prevent his attendance, he assured the Canadian delegation that senior ministry officials would represent Nigeria throughout the discussions.
The latest meeting signals that the biggest obstacle to Nigeria-Canada direct flights is no longer commercial demand or aviation policy. Instead, attention has shifted to immigration protocols and inter-ministerial cooperation.
If both governments successfully conclude the SOP negotiations in August, the proposed Air Services Agreement could move significantly closer to implementation, bringing Nigeria and Canada nearer to launching long-awaited direct flight services that thousands of passengers have anticipated for years.
