Nigerian Senate seeks renegotiation of aviation agreement with China

The Nigerian Senate has urged the federal government to renegotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China to ensure reciprocal benefits for Nigerian airlines. The resolution follows a motion by Senate Leader Mohammed Monguno, who noted that while bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2025, Nigerian carriers are not receiving commensurate flight opportunities.

Senator Abdul Ningi seconded the motion, highlighting that Nigerian travelers often must transit through third countries like Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, or the United Kingdom to reach China. He argued that the current imbalance allows Chinese airlines to operate direct flights to Nigeria while Nigerian carriers, such as Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Azman Air, and Ibom Air, are not operating direct routes to China.

Proponents of the renegotiation stated that establishing direct scheduled flights would reduce travel time, improve supply chain efficiency, retain foreign exchange, and position Lagos and Abuja as primary aviation gateways linking West and Central Africa to East Asia.