Canada and Nigeria are progressing discussions aimed at launching direct commercial flight operations between both countries, according to Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulú.
Rojas-Arbulú made the disclosure on Thursday during the “Leading Africa’s Future: Business, Purpose, and the Canada-Nigeria Partnership” event held at Lagos Business School, Lagos, according to Nairametrics.
He explained that while both nations currently operate an air transport relationship through a bilateral codeshare agreement, efforts are underway to deepen connectivity further through direct flight routes, alongside wider cooperation in sectors such as trade, education, investment and innovation.
Speaking on aviation ties, he noted that the existing framework has strengthened cooperation but discussions are now focused on expanding it into direct air links. He said connectivity remains a key component of ongoing bilateral engagement.
“On air connectivity, Canada and Nigeria have advanced a bilateral air transport relationship to a codeshare arrangement. But the possibility of direct flights remains under consideration. I think it’s fair to say that we’re working towards that,” Rojas-Arbulú said.
He further expressed optimism about improved travel access between both countries, adding, “I myself would like to have the ability to take a flight from Lagos directly to Toronto rather than have to go through a third location. Let’s cross our fingers that this is coming.”
Beyond aviation, the envoy described Nigeria as a major strategic partner for Canada in Africa, pointing to its fast-growing innovation landscape, strong entrepreneurial culture, and increasing global cultural influence.
He noted that Nigeria has produced several of Africa’s leading technology unicorns, while its music and creative industries continue to project its cultural identity worldwide. According to him, both countries possess the talent base, institutions and mutual trust needed to expand collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, mining, financial services, education, trade, investment and the creative economy.
Rojas-Arbulú added that the relationship between both nations is becoming increasingly multidimensional, extending beyond commerce into education, innovation and people-to-people engagement, supported by rising trade volumes and academic exchanges.
During her welcome remarks, the Dean of Lagos Business School, Prof. Olayinka David-West, stated that trade between both countries reached $3.2 billion in 2025. The envoy confirmed the figure, noting that it represented a 10% increase from 2024 and signaled what he called an “exciting new chapter” in bilateral relations.
He also disclosed that over 45,000 Nigerian students are enrolled in Canadian institutions annually, making Nigeria one of Canada’s largest sources of international students. In addition, more than 120,000 Nigerians currently reside in Canada, further strengthening bilateral ties through education, business, culture, and innovation.
Rojas-Arbulú stressed that Canada’s engagement with Nigeria goes beyond trade, encompassing development assistance, research collaboration, and diplomatic cooperation. He said Canada has continued to scale up funding for priority sectors while expanding investment partnerships.
According to him, Canada has provided over $345 million in bilateral assistance to Nigeria within the last five years, targeting healthcare, women’s economic empowerment, youth development, climate resilience, food security, and humanitarian support. He also revealed an additional $30 million in recent funding commitments to sustain these interventions.
He further disclosed that FinDev Canada has extended a $100 million financing facility to the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) to support sustainable infrastructure development across sub-Saharan Africa, while also committing $40 million to Stanbic IBTC Bank to promote sustainable finance and improve credit access for businesses, particularly women-led enterprises.
Rojas-Arbulú said Canada is also exploring deeper cooperation with Nigeria in artificial intelligence, mining, financial services, and creative industries, leveraging Nigeria’s strengths in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and its large consumer market.
Meanwhile, trade between both countries continues to strengthen. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Canada ranked as Nigeria’s ninth-largest trading partner in Q1 2026, maintaining its position from Q4 2025 and improving from 10th place in Q1 2025.
Total bilateral trade stood at N775.40 billion during the period, with Nigeria exporting N670.29 billion worth of goods and importing N105.11 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of N565.17 billion.
Overall trade declined compared to N1.13 trillion recorded in Q4 2025 and N900.46 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025. Nigeria’s key exports to Canada included cocoa beans and soya beans, while major imports comprised durum wheat, motorcycles and used vehicles.
The steady growth in economic exchanges continues to reinforce discussions around improved air connectivity, including the potential establishment of direct commercial flights between both nations.
