The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has directed the immediate conclusion of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Belgium, with a view to ensuring that it is signed before the departure of the outgoing Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt, who paid him a farewell visit in Abuja.
During the courtesy visit, Ambassador Leenknegt, who is expected to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria on August 5, 2026, expressed appreciation for the cordial relationship between both countries and used the opportunity to revisit discussions on the proposed BASA, which was first raised during a meeting with the Minister earlier this year.
The Ambassador recalled that one of the outstanding issues had been the European Union ownership clause affecting Belgian airlines, noting that Belgium no longer has a national airline with a Belgian majority shareholder. He explained that the agreement would therefore require appropriate provisions that reflect the realities of the European aviation framework while remaining beneficial to both countries.
He also referred to previous engagements with officials of the Ministry, during which he was informed that the BASA process could be concluded by October. While seeking clarification on the timeline, the Ambassador stressed the economic and commercial benefits of establishing direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Belgium.
According to him, direct flights between Lagos or Abuja and Brussels would significantly strengthen trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. He observed that many Nigerian travellers currently transit through neighbouring countries such as Cotonou to access flights to Brussels, despite the enormous passenger traffic potential available in Nigeria.
Describing the proposed air services agreement as “low-hanging fruit” capable of deepening bilateral relations, Ambassador Leenknegt expressed hope that the agreement could be concluded before the end of his tenure, saying it would be a fitting conclusion to his diplomatic service in Nigeria.
Responding, the Honourable Minister expressed surprise that direct air connectivity between both countries had yet to materialise despite Nigeria’s huge market and population.
“It is surprising that with the size of Nigeria, our population and the volume of business between both countries, we still do not have direct flights to Brussels. We need to fast-track this process,” the Minister said.
He noted that Brussels serves not only as an important destination in Europe but also as a major transit hub connecting travellers to several European cities, making the proposed agreement strategically important for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Consequently, the Minister directed the Director of Air Transport Management in the Ministry to immediately provide him with the current status of the BASA negotiations with Belgium and ensure that every necessary administrative process is accelerated.
The Minister further instructed that all outstanding issues be resolved with urgency to enable the Bilateral Air Services Agreement to be signed on or before Ambassador Leenknegt’s departure from Nigeria in two weeks, describing the agreement as a significant step towards enhancing air connectivity, boosting investment, facilitating tourism and strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Belgium.
The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation in the aviation sector and expressing optimism that direct air services between Nigeria and Belgium would soon become a reality.
