Nigeria and Canada will resume talks on direct flight operations on August 6 as both countries seek to resolve outstanding issues delaying the commencement of air services between them. Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, announced on Wednesday while receiving David Sproule, Canada’s chargé d’affaires to Nigeria, and a delegation comprising Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, deputy high commissioner, and Funmike Sojinuga, the trade commissioner, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. According to a statement by Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the minister, the meeting focused on expanding bilateral air services and establishing a framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Canada. Speaking during the meeting, Sproule said a high-level Canadian delegation would visit Nigeria in the first week of August to continue bilateral diplomatic engagements on the proposed air services agreement and related issues. The envoy also proposed the inclusion of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the framework of cooperation between both countries to facilitate the streamlined processing and removal of Nigerian nationals who are not legally entitled to remain in Canada. He said the proposed SOP would strengthen collaboration between both countries on immigration matters and address one of the key issues delaying approvals for direct flight operations. Sproule added that direct flights could lead to increased passenger traffic, placing additional pressure on existing immigration enforcement and repatriation mechanisms if adequate procedures are not established. ‘FG COMMITTED TO OPENING NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTES’ Responding, Keyamo expressed excitement over the prospects of launching direct flights between Nigeria and Canada, noting that the demand from Nigerians has remained consistently high for several years. He said available passenger traffic statistics indicate that thousands of travellers heading to Canada every week are compelled to transit through Europe or the United States due to the absence of direct air links. The minister said the federal government is committed to opening new international routes that will improve connectivity, enhance passenger convenience, reduce travel time, and strengthen economic and people-to-people relations between both nations. On Canada’s concerns over the proposed SOP, Keyamo said immigration and deportation issues fall outside the constitutional responsibilities of the ministry of aviation and aerospace development. He said the matter would require collaboration with the ministry of interior and other relevant government agencies. “The aviation component is one aspect of the discussions, while the immigration-related issues require the involvement of other relevant ministries,” the minister said. “We are prepared to facilitate those engagements because if reaching an understanding on the SOP is what is required to move the process forward, then we will ensure the appropriate government institutions are brought into the discussions.” According to the statement, both countries agreed to continue negotiations during the scheduled bilateral meeting fixed for August 6, 2026, where officials from both countries are expected to address the outstanding issues and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement. On July 23, 2024, Nigeria and the government of Canada began talks over the possibility of connecting both nations through direct flights.