The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has demanded a review of Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China, seeking direct flights for Nigerian airlines. The lawmakers want the Federal Government to renegotiate the agreement and address what they consider an imbalance in flight operations between both countries. They also rejected proposals to revive the controversial Nigeria Air project, although they maintained that Nigeria still needs a national carrier.
The resolutions followed a debate on Tuesday over a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno, the Senate Chief Whip representing Borno North. The motion urged the Federal Government to enforce the Nigeria-China BASA and create opportunities for Nigerian airlines to operate scheduled direct services to China. The Senate subsequently adopted the motion and mandated the relevant committees to monitor its implementation.
The Senate challenges Nigeria-China BASA imbalance
Senator Monguno argued that the existing aviation arrangement had failed to deliver reciprocal benefits for Nigerian carriers. He said the agreement was intended to facilitate scheduled direct flights between both countries. However, Nigerian travellers and businesses still depend heavily on connecting services through other countries to reach Chinese destinations.
The senator said enforcing the agreement would transform the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. According to him, both airports could become major gateways connecting West and Central Africa to East Asia. He identified reduced travel time, improved supply chain efficiency and increased airport revenue among the expected benefits.
In addition, Monguno said direct services could strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises. They could also support non-oil exports and improve the transportation of perishable agricultural products. He maintained that better air connectivity would help Nigerian businesses compete more effectively in international markets.
The motion proposed several measures to address the imbalance. These include enforcing reciprocity in flight rights, rationalising competition from airlines operating through intermediate destinations and promoting bilateral code-sharing arrangements. It also suggested temporary airport fee waivers to encourage Nigerian operators.
Monguno further proposed a direct naira settlement window using the existing bilateral currency swap framework. He argued that such an arrangement could reduce dependence on the United States dollar. He also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage Chinese authorities on business visas for Nigerian traders and reciprocal airport slot allocations.
Akpabio questions unequal flight rights
Contributing to the debate, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio criticised the existing arrangement between both countries. He questioned why Chinese airlines could operate direct services to Nigeria while Nigerian airlines lacked equivalent access to Chinese destinations.
Akpabio said Nigerian business travellers frequently depended on Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and other foreign carriers to reach China. Meanwhile, Chinese travellers could access Nigeria through direct flights. He argued that the arrangement required urgent reconsideration to protect Nigerian commercial interests.
The Senate President called for a renegotiation that would give Nigerian airlines the opportunity to operate directly into China. He also questioned the country’s failure to develop sufficient aviation capacity despite its economic potential.
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, also supported the motion. He argued that China benefited considerably from Nigeria’s resources without providing commensurate opportunities in return. Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, however, introduced another dimension by calling for the revival of a national airline.
Senator Khabeeb Mustapha, representing Jigawa South-West, equally advocated the return of Nigerian Airways. The former state-owned airline collapsed following years of corruption and mismanagement.
The Senate rejects old Nigeria Air proposal
Although the debate generated renewed calls for a national carrier, the Senate rejected any proposal to revive the previous Nigeria Air project. The lawmakers described the contracts awarded under former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika as a waste of time. They considered further discussions about resurrecting those arrangements unproductive.
The Senate’s position did not amount to a rejection of the national carrier concept. Instead, the lawmakers resolved that Nigeria still needed an airline capable of representing the country internationally. They urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to explore the possibility of establishing one through a different approach.
Akpabio said Nigeria previously operated a substantial national fleet through Nigerian Airways. He recalled that the former airline had approximately 32 to 40 aircraft serving different destinations.
He questioned how the country moved from that level of aviation development to its present situation. According to him, domestic airlines struggle to meet demand during peak travel periods.
The Senate President specifically cited the December travel rush and difficulties experienced by passengers seeking available flights. He also noted that even politicians struggled to secure private jets during campaign periods. He argued that a national carrier could help address some of the country’s aviation capacity challenges.
Four-week deadline for aviation committees
Following the debate, the Senate adopted Monguno’s motion through a voice vote. It mandated the Senate Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs to ensure compliance with the resolution.
The committees must report back to the chamber within four weeks. Their assignment places responsibility on both aviation authorities and diplomatic officials to pursue the proposed changes.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority are expected to play important roles in implementing the aviation-related recommendations.
Ultimately, the Senate’s resolutions present two separate priorities for Nigeria’s aviation sector. The first is securing reciprocal access to the Chinese market for Nigerian airlines. The second is developing a viable national carrier without returning to the controversial Nigeria Air contractual arrangements.
