The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to renegotiate its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with China, insisting that Nigerian airlines must be granted equal opportunities to operate direct flights to the Asian country.
The lawmakers warned that Nigeria could review the existing aviation agreement if Chinese authorities failed to guarantee reciprocal flight rights for Nigerian carriers.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Mohammed Monguno, representing Borno North, and seconded by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central during plenary on Tuesday.
Leading the debate, Monguno recalled that Nigeria and China signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish direct commercial air connections and regulate flight operations between the two countries.
However, he expressed concern that the agreement had not delivered the expected benefits for Nigerian airlines.
He noted that trade between Nigeria and China reached $18bn in the first half of 2025, representing a 25 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period, while total bilateral trade stood at $28bn in 2024.
Monguno also highlighted the growing number of Nigerians living in China and Chinese nationals residing in Nigeria, arguing that the population and commercial relationships between both countries justified improved air connectivity.
He said more than one million Nigerians were living in China, while over 500,000 Chinese nationals were residing in Nigeria.
According to him, effective implementation of the agreement could position the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as important aviation gateways connecting West and Central Africa to East Asia.
He added that direct flights would reduce travel time, improve supply chains, increase airline revenues, retain foreign exchange and create additional opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.
The Senate Leader further argued that improved air connectivity would support non-oil exports, particularly agricultural products, while strengthening Nigeria’s international trade relations.
NIGERIA SHOULD NOT GRANT CHINA UNRECIPROCATED AVIATION RIGHTS
Seconding the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi described the proposal as being in Nigeria’s national interest but questioned the benefits the country was receiving from its economic relationship with China.
He lamented that Nigerians travelling to China often had to connect through countries such as Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom because Nigerian airlines did not operate direct routes to the Asian country.
Ningi urged the Federal Government to support domestic carriers, including Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Azman Air and Ibom Air, to expand their international operations and explore direct services to China, subject to regulatory and operational requirements.
He also argued that Nigeria should not continue granting Chinese airlines access to its aviation market without securing equivalent opportunities for its own carriers.
The senator subsequently called for a review of the agreement if China failed to provide the necessary reciprocal flight rights.
SENATORS RAISE CONCERNS OVER ILLEGAL MINING
During his contribution, Ningi also raised concerns about the activities of some Chinese nationals operating in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
He alleged that certain mining operations in Bauchi State and other parts of the country might be operating without complying with relevant legal requirements.
The senator specifically mentioned mining activities in communities within his constituency bordering Kaduna and Plateau states.
He expressed concern over the scale of mining operations, the equipment being deployed and allegations that raw minerals were being exported without sufficient local processing.
Ningi called for stronger government supervision to ensure that Nigeria receives adequate economic benefits from its mineral resources.
AKPABIO CALLS FOR A VIABLE NATIONAL AIRLINE
Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the need to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry, arguing that the country requires a strong indigenous airline capable of competing effectively in the international market.
He recalled the defunct Nigerian Airways, noting that Nigeria once operated a sizeable aircraft fleet and maintained several international routes.
Akpabio expressed concern about the difficulties faced by domestic airlines during peak travel periods, particularly in December, when passenger demand increases significantly.
He argued that a viable national carrier would improve international connectivity, reduce pressure on existing domestic airlines and help retain foreign exchange within the country.
Other lawmakers, including Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, representing Jigawa South-West, also supported the establishment of a functional national airline.
Khabeeb, however, suggested that the government should consider reviving Air Nigeria rather than attempting to bring back the defunct Nigerian Airways.
Senator Mohammed Ogoshi, representing Nasarawa South, equally supported the demand for strict reciprocity in the aviation agreement with China.
SENATE GIVES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOUR WEEKS
Following deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the commercial terms and operational arrangements of the existing Nigeria-China Bilateral Air Service Agreement.
It also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin diplomatic discussions with Chinese authorities on facilitating business visas for Nigerian traders and securing reciprocal flight-slot allocations for Nigerian airlines.
The lawmakers further adopted a proposal urging the Federal Government to enforce strict reciprocity by ensuring that Nigerian carriers receive the same direct-flight opportunities enjoyed by Chinese airlines operating in Nigeria.
The Senate warned that the existing agreement could be reviewed if the required arrangements were not secured.
It subsequently mandated its Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs to monitor the implementation of the resolutions and submit a report within four weeks.
Although the idea of establishing a national carrier received support during the debate, lawmakers noted that a separate substantive motion would be required for further legislative consideration.
The resolutions are expected to be communicated to the Federal Government for necessary action.
