Nigeria and Jamaica are working towards the formal signing of their reviewed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), with the endorsement tentatively scheduled to take place in Kingston, Jamaica, either in the last week of November or the first week of December 2026.
The Special Adviser to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood who disclosed this in a press release said the proposed signing date is expected to be agreed upon by both countries following the completion of the final review of the agreement, which is aimed at strengthening aviation cooperation, improving air connectivity and facilitating easier travel between the two countries.
This followed a meeting between Keyamo and the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer, in Abuja, where discussions focused on the finalisation of the agreement.
Both countries have made significant progress in the process, with the agreement undergoing extensive legal and technical reviews by officials from Nigeria and Jamaica.
During the meeting, Downer expressed satisfaction with the progress made, noting that both parties had reached an advanced stage and were now working towards fixing a date for the formal signing.
He explained that Jamaica had shared the legally reviewed text of the agreement with the Nigerian team and sought an update on its status to enable both countries to proceed with the endorsement.
In response, Keyamo requested the relevant file to ascertain the stage of the documentation process. He was subsequently briefed that the agreement has undergone the necessary review by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and has been returned.
The minister then directed that a final copy of the agreement be made available to the Jamaican High Commissioner for another review and proofreading to ensure that both parties are satisfied with its contents before the signing.
Both sides are now expected to conclude arrangements for a mutually convenient date for the formal endorsement in Kingston, Jamaica, within the proposed November–December window.
The conclusion of the BASA is expected to provide a framework for stronger aviation relations between Nigeria and Jamaica, while creating opportunities for improved air travel, tourism, trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Keyamo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the timely conclusion of the agreement and directed relevant officials to expedite the remaining documentation ahead of the proposed signing.
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