The Senate has called for direct flight opportunities for Nigerian airlines to China, warning that Nigeria may review its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the Asian country if reciprocal flight rights are not guaranteed.
However, lawmakers shelved calls for the immediate revival of a national carrier, insisting that the proposal would require a separate substantive motion for legislative consideration.
The position followed deliberations on a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, seeking the renegotiation of the Nigeria-China aviation agreement to secure reciprocal flight rights for indigenous airlines.
Although several senators supported the establishment of a national airline, the Senate maintained that the issue would have to undergo a separate legislative process before any formal decision could be taken.
The debate also featured concerns over alleged illegal mining activities involving Chinese nationals in Nigeria, the need to strengthen indigenous airlines and demands for strict reciprocity in the country’s aviation relationship with China.
Leading the debate, Monguno, who represents Borno North, recalled that Nigeria and China signed the BASA under former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish direct commercial air links and regulate flight operations between the two countries.
He, however, expressed concern that the agreement had not been effectively implemented to guarantee reciprocal benefits for Nigerian airlines.
Monguno disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China reached $18 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 25 per cent year-on-year increase, while total trade volume stood at $28 billion in 2024.
He also said more than 100,000 Nigerians lived in China, while over 500,000 Chinese nationals resided in Nigeria, arguing that the growing economic and population ties made direct air connectivity increasingly important.
According to him, effective implementation of the agreement would position the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as major aviation gateways linking West and Central Africa with East Asia.
He listed reduced travel time, improved supply chains, increased airline revenues, foreign exchange retention and expanded opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises among the potential benefits of direct flights.
The Senate Chief Whip also argued that improved air connectivity would support non-oil exports, particularly agricultural products, while strengthening Nigeria’s participation in international trade.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Customs Service to collaborate towards effective implementation of the agreement.
Seconding the motion, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, described the proposal as patriotic and beneficial to Nigeria but raised concerns about the activities of Chinese nationals in the country’s solid minerals sector.
Ningi alleged that some Chinese mining operations in parts of Bauchi State and other locations might be operating without complying with all relevant legal requirements.
He particularly cited mining activities in communities within his constituency bordering Kaduna and Plateau states, expressing concern over the scale of operations, the equipment deployed and the alleged export of raw minerals without sufficient local processing.
The lawmaker called for stronger government oversight to ensure that Nigeria derives adequate economic benefits from its mineral resources.
On aviation, Ningi 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 flights to the country.
He argued that domestic carriers should receive the necessary government support to operate international routes.
Ningi identified Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Azman Air and Ibom Air as Nigerian carriers that could be encouraged to expand their operations to China, subject to the necessary regulatory and operational requirements.
He insisted that Nigeria should not continue granting Chinese airlines access to its aviation market without securing equivalent opportunities for indigenous carriers.
The senator consequently called for a review of the BASA if China failed to guarantee reciprocal flight rights for Nigerian airlines.
Contributing to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio advocated the revival of a national airline, arguing that Nigeria needed a strong indigenous carrier to compete effectively in the international aviation market.
He recalled the defunct Nigerian Airways, noting that the country once operated a sizeable fleet and maintained international routes.
Akpabio expressed concern about the pressure on domestic airlines during peak travel periods, particularly in December when demand for air transport increases significantly.
He argued that a national carrier would improve connectivity, retain foreign exchange within the country and reduce the difficulties faced by air travellers.
The Senate President urged the Federal Government to reconsider establishing a national airline and commended Monguno for bringing the motion before the chamber.
He also called on the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance to work with the Ministries of Aviation and Foreign Affairs to ensure the implementation of the resolutions within the stipulated period.
Similarly, Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, representing Jigawa South-West, supported the establishment of a national carrier but clarified that the focus should be on reviving Air Nigeria rather than the defunct Nigerian Airways.
He argued that a functional national airline would enable Nigeria to operate direct international routes, generate foreign exchange and strengthen its presence in the global aviation industry.
Senator Mohammed Ogoshi, representing Nasarawa South, also supported the call for strict reciprocity, endorsing Ningi’s proposal that Nigerian airlines should enjoy the same flight privileges granted to Chinese carriers.
Following deliberations, the Senate adopted the motion and urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the commercial terms and operational schedules of the existing Nigeria-China Bilateral Air Service Agreement.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic discussions with Chinese authorities to facilitate business visas for Nigerian traders and secure reciprocal flight slots for Nigerian airlines.
Adopting Ningi’s additional proposal, which was supported by Senator Onawo, lawmakers urged the Federal Government to enforce strict reciprocity by ensuring that Nigerian airlines enjoyed direct flight opportunities to China on the same basis as Chinese carriers operating in Nigeria.
The Senate further warned that the agreement should be reviewed if the required reciprocal arrangements could not be secured.
To monitor compliance, it mandated its Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs to oversee the implementation of the resolutions and report back to the chamber within four weeks.
