If you’ve ever tried to book a direct flight from Nigeria to Canada, you know the pain. The layovers. The endless hours in transit. The sheer exhaustion of spending an entire day (or two) hopping between airports just to get from Lagos to Toronto.

Well, those days are officially numbered.

Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded air transport agreement that finally clears the path for direct scheduled flights between both countries—a move that’s set to slash travel times, boost trade, and make life significantly easier for the thousands of Nigerians studying, working, and doing business in Canada.

The Deal in a Nutshell

The agreement was signed in Abuja at the High Commission of Canada, with Festus Keyamo’s team—represented by Director of Air Transport Management Mohammed Tijjani—joining Canadian Chief Air Negotiator Shendra Melia to formalise the deal. It follows an extensive technical review session where both delegations went through the existing Bilateral Air Services framework and reached a consensus that culminated in the signing of the Agreed Minutes.

So what’s actually in it?

• Multiple airlines: Both countries can now designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services between them. No more monopoly—competition means better prices and more options.
• 14 weekly passenger flights: That’s the capacity allowance for designated airlines from each country. Plenty of room for growing demand.
• 10 weekly all-cargo flights: Because trade doesn’t just happen in passenger cabins.
• Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for cargo: This is the big one for logistics. Cargo airlines can now transport freight between two foreign countries, as long as the service originates or terminates in their home country. That’s a game-changer for supply chains.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about a relationship that’s been growing for years.

As of March 31, 2026, more than 25,000 Nigerians hold valid Canadian study permits, making Nigeria one of Canada’s major international student source countries. Add to that the thousands of professionals, business travellers, and families with ties on both sides of the Atlantic, and you’ve got a lot of people who desperately need better flight options.

The agreement is expected to reduce travel time, improve passenger convenience, lower logistics costs, and strengthen commercial and cultural ties. In plain English: fewer stopovers, cheaper shipping, and more connections between two countries that already share deep people-to-people links.

A Decade in the Making

Here’s the kicker: the original Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement was negotiated way back in 2014—and it was only a code-share arrangement. That means airlines could slap their codes on each other’s flights, but there was no real direct service. The agreement was formally signed in March 2025, but this week’s expansion is the first major upgrade to the bilateral air services framework in more than a decade.

What’s Next?

Airlines on both sides will now start jostling for position. Expect announcements about which carriers will launch the first direct routes, when flights will start, and what tickets will cost. With 14 weekly passenger flights up for grabs, the competition is about to get interesting.

For the 25,000 Nigerian students in Canada—and the countless others travelling for business, tourism, or family—this can’t come soon enough.

Direct flights. Finally.