Nigeria’s Senate has urged the country’s aviation ministry to renegotiate its Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China, with lawmakers seeking direct commercial air links between the two countries. The call was made during a debate on the challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector and air travellers.
The motion, sponsored by Tahir Monguno, the Senate chief whip and senator representing Borno north, argued that direct connectivity with China could reduce travel time, improve supply-chain efficiency and support trade. It could also limit foreign exchange outflows associated with international travel, according to the case put before the Senate.
Senate seeks review of bilateral agreement
Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, said Nigeria was not receiving benefits commensurate with China’s growing influence in the global economy. Following the debate, the Senate urged the ministry of aviation to renegotiate the agreement so that Nigerian airlines could operate direct commercial services to China.
| Policy issue | Action sought |
|---|---|
| Nigeria–China air services | Renegotiation of the BASA |
| International connectivity | Direct commercial air links between both countries |
| National airline | Proposal to revive a Nigeria-owned carrier |
The debate also prompted Senate President Godswill Akpabio to call for the establishment of a Nigeria-owned airline. He said private airlines were unable to meet demand for aircraft for political campaigns and argued that a national carrier could ease pressure on the aviation sector and improve air travel.
“A national carrier should birth in this country carrying Nigerian flag as it used to be,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio referred to the former Nigeria Airways, which he recalled had operated about 40 aircraft, including DC-10 aircraft serving destinations such as Saudi Arabia. He questioned how Nigeria had moved from operating an airline of that size to its current position.
Campaign demand forms part of wider aviation debate
His comments came as senators discussed pressure on Nigeria’s aviation system and the ability of private operators to provide aircraft during the campaign period. Akpabio said: “Even the private airlines cannot handle. Common campaigns, we cannot see even private jets to hire.”
The Senate’s action on the China agreement is an instruction to the aviation ministry to pursue a review, rather than the launch of a new route or the creation of a carrier. No airline, route frequency, aircraft type or timetable was announced. The immediate focus is therefore on the bilateral framework governing access between Nigeria and China, alongside a separate political proposal to establish a national airline.
