FG Signs BASA Agreement with Trinidad & Tobago for Direct Flight, as Keyamo Meets Barbados’ PM in Historic Ties with the Caribbean

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and his Republic of Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, the Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan have signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago that will signal a new era of air connectivity between West Africa and the Caribbean country.

The signing ceremony took place at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and Tobago and it marked the official commencement of direct air links between both nations.

Media adviser to the minister, Tunde Moshood said in a statement that this milestone agreement is the culmination of diplomatic and technical conversations that began during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Keyamo stated that “Today’s signing not only fulfills a long-standing bilateral vision initiated during President Obasanjo’s time but also represents our commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global aviation footprint.

“This agreement will enhance trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and connectivity between Nigeria and the Caribbean region.”

Also speaking, Sinanan expressed strong optimism about the potential of the agreement to boost cooperation and expand aviation opportunities for Caribbean and African carriers.

This BASA adds to Nigeria’s growing list of strategic international aviation agreements and reinforces the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving air connectivity, promoting regional integration, and strengthening diplomatic relations through aviation diplomacy.

In a related event, the Honourable Minister, Keyamo, made a strategic stopover in Barbados as part of his continued diplomatic mission to deepen air connectivity between Nigeria, South American and Caribbean regions.

Showing the warm Caribbean hospitality and high-level diplomacy, the Honourable Minister was personally received by the charismatic and globally celebrated Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP.

The meeting between the two distinguished leaders underscored a shared commitment to building stronger bridges of cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean through enhanced aviation links.

During his visit, Keyamo held a series of productive bilateral meetings with key Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Barbados.

Discussions focused on the urgent need to expand direct air connectivity between the two regions, as well as Nigeria’s proposal to update and revitalise the existing BASA between Nigeria and Barbados.

The Honourable Minister emphasized that such partnerships are essential to actualising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes positioning Nigeria as the leading aviation gateway to Africa from South America and the Caribbean.

Both parties expressed their commitment to deepening discussions and translating these strategic aspirations into concrete outcomes.

To that effect, the Honourable Minister extended a formal invitation to the Government of Barbados for a follow-up meeting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, in the coming weeks—a gesture warmly accepted by Prime Minister Mottley.

The Honourable Minister’s visit to Barbados marks another milestone in Nigeria’s proactive aviation diplomacy and reaffirms the nation’s growing influence as a strategic air transport hub for intercontinental travel.