The Senate has urged the Federal Government to renegotiate Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement with China, insisting that Nigerian airlines must receive the same flight rights granted to Chinese carriers.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, and seconded by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi. Lawmakers warned that the agreement could be reviewed if China failed to guarantee reciprocal opportunities for Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights.
Monguno said the agreement, signed under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had not delivered the expected benefits for Nigerian carriers. He cited bilateral trade worth $18bn in the first half of 2025, a 25 per cent increase from the corresponding period in 2024, and argued that stronger air links would support trade and economic activities.
He said direct flights could reduce travel time, improve supply chains, increase airline revenues and create opportunities for small businesses. He also identified Lagos and Abuja airports as potential aviation gateways connecting West and Central Africa to East Asia.
Supporting the motion, Ningi said Nigerians travelling to China often had to connect through countries such as Morocco, the UAE, Ethiopia and the UK because Nigerian airlines lacked direct routes. He also raised concerns about alleged illegal mining activities by Chinese nationals in parts of Bauchi and other locations, calling for stronger government oversight.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers also called for the revival of a national airline to strengthen Nigeria’s international aviation presence. While Akpabio recalled the defunct Nigerian Airways, Senator Mustapha Khabeeb proposed reviving Air Nigeria. Airlines mentioned as potential operators of China routes included Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Azman Air and Ibom Air.
The Senate urged the Ministries of Aviation and Foreign Affairs to renegotiate the agreement and engage Chinese authorities on reciprocal flight slots and business visas for Nigerian traders. Its committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs were directed to monitor implementation and report within four weeks. Lawmakers noted that a separate motion would be needed for further consideration of a national carrier.
