Nigeria and Jamaica are moving closer to strengthening aviation relations, with both countries advancing plans to sign their reviewed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). The development followed a meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer. Both countries are now working towards completing the final documentation ahead of the proposed signing in Jamaica.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, said discussions focused on concluding the existing agreement. The proposed deal is expected to improve air connectivity, facilitate travel and establish a stronger framework for aviation cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement has undergone extensive legal and technical reviews by officials from both countries. Their respective teams have been working to finalise the documentation before its formal endorsement.
Jamaica BASA Reaches Final Stage
Speaking during the meeting, Jamaican High Commissioner Lincoln Downer expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved. He indicated that both countries had reached a critical stage and were now looking towards fixing a date for the signing.
Downer said Jamaica had already shared the legally reviewed agreement with Nigeria’s team. However, he wanted an update on the outstanding process before both countries could settle on a signing date.
He told the Minister: “So we’re pleased now that we’re at the point where we can now sign. We shared the legally reviewed text with your team, so I haven’t heard from them. That’s what I wanted to know today, where we stand, so that we can then set the date. You can give us an update?”
In response, Keyamo requested the relevant file to establish the agreement’s current status. Officials briefed him that the document had undergone the necessary review by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and had been returned.
The briefing indicated that the agreement was already at an advanced stage of completion. Consequently, the Minister directed that a final copy should be made available to the Jamaican High Commissioner for another review and proofreading.
The exercise is intended to ensure that both countries are satisfied with the final text before proceeding with the formal endorsement.
Jamaica Signing Expected in November or December
Both countries are now working towards agreeing on a mutually convenient date for the signing. The ceremony is tentatively scheduled to hold in Kingston, Jamaica, either during the last week of November or the first week of December 2026.
The proposed signing would mark an important step in Nigeria’s efforts to expand international aviation partnerships. It would also reinforce the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen bilateral air services arrangements with countries offering opportunities for improved connectivity.
For Jamaica, the agreement could provide a framework for deeper aviation engagement with Nigeria. It could also support opportunities for stronger tourism, trade, economic activities and people-to-people exchanges.
Although the proposed signing does not automatically establish direct flights between both countries, the agreement would provide a bilateral framework for designated airlines to explore air services in accordance with its provisions.
The development is particularly significant as both countries seek to strengthen relations beyond traditional diplomatic engagements. Improved aviation cooperation could create opportunities for business travel, tourism development and closer engagement between their respective aviation industries.
Keyamo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to concluding the agreement without unnecessary delays. He also directed relevant officials to expedite the outstanding documentation ahead of the proposed signing in Jamaica.
With the legal review completed and final proofreading underway, Nigeria and Jamaica appear closer to concluding an aviation agreement that has been under consideration for some time.
The next major step will be agreeing on the signing date and securing the final endorsement from both governments.
