The Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to renegotiate Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China to ensure fairness and equity.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North), during the plenary on the effective implementation and reciprocal air services between Nigeria and China.

Mr Monguno recalled that Nigeria and China had signed the agreement under former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish direct commercial air links and increase flight frequencies.

He noted that bilateral trade between the two countries had reached $18 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 35 per cent year-on-year increase, building on a total of $28 billion recorded in 2026.

Mr Monguno noted that BASA was intended to establish direct scheduled Nigeria-China flights, transforming Lagos and Abuja airports into primary gateways linking West and Central Africa to East Asia.

According to Mr Monguno, more than one million Nigerians live in China, while over 500,000 Chinese live in Nigeria, generating China’s interest in Africa’s most populous nation.

He said direct flights would reduce travel time, improve supply chain efficiency, retain foreign exchange, expand non-oil exports, strengthen businesses, and create employment opportunities.

Seconding the motion, Abdul Ningi (ADC-Bauchi Central) described it as patriotic and timely, saying Nigeria was not receiving commensurate benefits from its growing economic relationship with China.

Mr Ningi said Nigerian businesspeople travelling to China often transited through other countries, while Chinese airlines operated direct flights to Nigeria, creating an imbalance.

The senator urged the federal government to encourage Nigerian airlines, including Air Peace, to operate direct flights to China and benefit from the growing bilateral trade opportunities.

The Senate thereafter urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the commercial terms and operational schedules of the existing Nigeria-China BASA.

The Senate also urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic talks with China regarding business visa facilitation for Nigerian traders and reciprocal slot allocations to Chinese airports.

It mandated the Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs to ensure compliance and report to the Senate within four weeks.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his submission, warned that Nigeria might reconsider privileges granted to Chinese airlines if Nigerian carriers remained excluded from China.

Mr Akpabio cited Air Peace, Max Air, and Ibom Air as potential beneficiaries, adding that direct flights would help retain foreign exchange within Nigeria’s domestic economy.

On his part, Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta North)
proposed an additional prayer, urging the federal government to revive the Nigerian Airways carrier, stressing that it would strengthen aviation and economic benefits.

Mr Akpabio, however, said a separate motion would address establishing a viable national carrier to ease air travellers’ difficulties.

“I believe the issue deserves a separate motion. Nigeria needs a national carrier that can represent the country internationally.

“We previously had Nigerian Airways, which operated several aircraft and carried the Nigerian flag to different destinations. At one time, the airline had a sizeable fleet and operated international routes, including pilgrimage flights to Saudi Arabia.

“We must examine how we arrived at the present situation. During peak travel periods, even private airlines struggle to meet passenger demand,” Mr Akpabio said.

The Senate president urged the federal government to consider the need for a national carrier as part of efforts to improve air transportation and reduce the difficulties faced by air travellers.

He commended Mr Monguno for bringing up the motion and other senators for their contributions.

(NAN)