Nigeria and Jamaica are on the verge of establishing a direct flight route as both nations strengthen their Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). This development was announced in a statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, on Wednesday.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo hosted Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer, and Consular Andre Hibbert at his office in Abuja to discuss the proposal. Downer highlighted the significant potential for diplomatic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of improving the existing air services agreement.
“I have been tasked with improving the diplomatic ties between Jamaica and Nigeria, particularly in air services,” Downer noted. He also pointed out the growing interest in Nigerian culture in Jamaica, with Afrobeat music and Nollywood films gaining popularity.
The ambassador further stressed the demand for stronger air connectivity, stating, “There is no reason why we shouldn’t have a direct flight between our countries. Nigerians love Jamaica, and there’s increasing demand for Jamaican spices in Nigeria.”
Keyamo expressed his enthusiasm for the proposed collaboration, stating, “I am excited to begin the BASA discussions. To ensure the process moves quickly, we’ll set up a committee to expedite the agreement.” He also committed to visiting Jamaica to finalize the deal, if needed.
Downer also mentioned that Jamaica currently does not have a national carrier and relies on neighboring Trinidad and Tobago for air transport. He suggested combining the BASA agreement between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago to bridge the gap in air services, particularly with the growing demand for flights between Nigeria and Jamaica.
The Jamaican ambassador concluded with a personal note, revealing his newfound connection to Nigeria: “I have discovered that Nigeria may indeed be my ancestral home.”
Princess Etuk is a journalist with three years of experience in entertainment and, more recently, aviation and transport reporting for Punch Newspapers.
