FG commences BASA review with Jamaica, receives ambassador

The federal government has commenced the review of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) arrangement process with Jamaica.

When this process comes to fruition, it will enable direct air services between Nigeria and Jamaica and ensure a significant diplomatic boost for the two countries.

A statement by Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications Keyamo, said that the minister is leading this process from Nigeria’s end, while Lincoln Downer, the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, would lead the push for the North American country.

The statement said that the two leaders discussed this position on Tuesday in Abuja when Jamaica’s ambassador visited Keyamo in his office.

Downer, in his address, expressed his deep appreciation for Nigeria, revealing an intriguing discovery from his four months as the Jamaican envoy to Nigeria. The ambassador emphasised the potential for mutually beneficial diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria.

He highlighted the importance of improving and enhancing bilateral relations, including reviewing the BASA arrangements between the two countries.

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Downer lamented that Jamaica currently lacked a national carrier and relies on neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago for air transport. He proposed the idea of combining the BASA between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago to address the air services gap, underscoring the increasing demand for travel from Nigeria to Jamaica.

He said, “I have since discovered that Nigeria might be my ancestral home after all.

“I have been tasked by my country to review and improve on the diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria, especially concerning air services.”

Also, Downer shared the growing interest in Nigerian culture, particularly Afrobeat music and Nollywood films, which he said were trending in Jamaica. This cultural exchange, he noted, further reinforces the need for enhanced diplomatic and air connectivity between the two countries.

“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 his response, Keyamo welcomed the ambassador’s proposals and expressed his eagerness to take the next steps. In a bid to ensure a swift resolution, he said the government would set up a committee to expedite the process.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.