Nigeria and Jamaica are considering the establishment of a direct flight route as part of efforts to enhance air connectivity and strengthen their Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, hosted the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer, along with his Consular, Andre Hibbert, at his office in Abuja to discuss the initiative.
During the meeting, Downer underscored the potential for deepening diplomatic and economic relations between both nations. He emphasized the significance of reviewing and improving the existing BASA to facilitate seamless travel, foster trade, and strengthen cultural ties between Nigeria and Jamaica.
“I have been tasked by my country to review and improve on the diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria, especially concerning air services,” said Downer.
The Jamaican Ambassador highlighted the rising popularity of Nigerian culture in Jamaica, particularly the widespread appeal of Afrobeat music and Nollywood films.
Downer noted that these cultural influences have gained significant traction among Jamaicans, reflecting a deepening connection between both nations.
He emphasized that this cultural exchange underscores the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties and establishing direct air connectivity to facilitate greater collaboration and people-to-people interactions.
“There is no reason why we should not have a direct flight between our countries. Nigerians love Jamaica, and there is a rising demand for Jamaican spices in Nigeria,” he added.
In response, Keyamo welcomed the ambassador’s proposals with enthusiasm, affirming Nigeria’s readiness to advance discussions on strengthening bilateral ties. He expressed a keen interest in exploring concrete steps toward enhancing cooperation, particularly in aviation and cultural exchange.
“I am delighted to start the BASA arrangements. To ensure a swift resolution, we will set up a committee to expedite the process,” said Keyamo.
Keyamo also expressed his willingness to visit Jamaica if required, stating that he would personally travel to finalize and sign the BASA.
During the meeting, Ambassador Downer revealed that Jamaica currently does not have a national carrier and relies on neighboring Trinidad and Tobago for air transport. To address this limitation, he suggested integrating Jamaica’s BASA with Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the growing demand for travel between Nigeria and Jamaica.
Downer further conveyed his deep appreciation for Nigeria, sharing an interesting observation from his four-month tenure as Jamaica’s envoy to the country.
“I have since discovered that Nigeria might be my ancestral home after all,” the ambassador said.
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