Nigeria and Jamaica are nearing the conclusion of a reviewed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), with both countries working towards its formal signing in Kingston, Jamaica, later this month or early December 2026.
The development followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer, to review progress on the agreement and address outstanding documentation ahead of its endorsement.
According to a statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, the agreement has undergone legal and technical reviews by officials from both countries, with Nigeria’s Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation having completed its examination and returned the document.
During the meeting, Downer expressed satisfaction with the progress, saying Jamaica had shared its legally reviewed version of the agreement with Nigerian officials and was awaiting feedback to enable both sides to settle a signing date.
He said the discussions had reached an advanced stage and that the immediate priority was to establish the status of the document before proceeding with arrangements for its formal endorsement.
Keyamo subsequently directed officials to make the final copy available to the Jamaican High Commissioner for a further review and proofreading, to ensure that both governments were satisfied with the text before signing.
The two countries are now working towards agreeing on a mutually convenient date, tentatively scheduled for the last week of November or the first week of December 2026.
The proposed agreement is expected to provide a framework for stronger aviation cooperation, improve air connectivity and create opportunities for airlines from both countries to explore expanded air services.
It is also expected to support wider economic and people-to-people exchanges by facilitating travel, tourism and commercial engagement between Nigeria and Jamaica.
Keyamo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to concluding the agreement and directed relevant officials to expedite the remaining documentation ahead of the proposed signing in Kingston.
