KEYAMO LEADS NIGERIAN DELEGATION TO INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION NEGOTIATION EVENT 2025 (ICAN2025) IN PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), has once again positioned Nigeria at the forefront of global aviation diplomacy as he led the country’s delegation to the International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) Event 2025, presently holding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The event, convened annually by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), runs from November 10 to 14, 2025, and serves as the world’s largest platform for bilateral and multilateral air services negotiations.
On the Minister’s entourage are the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo; Director of Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ahmed Tijani Mohammed, Director of Legal, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mrs. Sarah Okunade; Director of Legal Services-NCAA, Mrs. Mary Tufano Eche; Director of Air Transport Regulations-Mrs. Olayinka T. Babaoye-Iriobe; and Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu-NCAA, among others.
Also accompanying the delegation are key representatives of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), including Mrs. Toyin Olajide, Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, and Mr. Charles Johnson Ararume, Chief Financial Officer of Arik Air, among other industry stakeholders.
The ICAN2025 event provides a unique global platform for countries to conduct bilateral and multilateral negotiations on Air Service Agreements (ASAs) aimed at enhancing air connectivity, fostering trade, tourism, and investment, and promoting the sustainable growth of the global aviation industry.
The opening ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Mr. Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, President of the Dominican Republic, and Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, the outgoing President of the ICAO Council. Both leaders emphasized the need for collaboration, sustainability, and equitable access as key drivers for the advancement of the global aviation sector.
The Nigerian delegation has been actively engaged in several Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) review meetings and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) discussions on the sidelines of the event. Among the key negotiations:
Nigeria–South Africa Meeting: The South African delegation requested fifth freedom traffic rights and an additional designation for another flag carrier-Airlink to operate the Cape Town–Lagos route alongside South African Airways.
Nigeria–Scandinavia Meeting: A joint session with representatives from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark led to mutual agreement to exchange the Air Service Agreement documents for further review and deliberation.
Nigeria–Hong Kong & Tanzania Meetings: Discussions also focused on reviewing existing BASAs to enhance connectivity and promote mutually beneficial aviation relationships.
Negotiations are ongoing, with the Nigerian delegation divided into multiple working groups to handle various bilateral and multilateral engagements efficiently.
Speaking at the sidelines of the event, the Aviation Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening international aviation cooperation, stating that the government’s active participation in ICAN2025 demonstrates its dedication to expanding Nigeria’s global aviation footprint, improving market access for Nigerian carriers, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships across continents.
ICAN remains a pivotal event in shaping the future of international air transport, and Nigeria’s robust participation under the leadership of the Honourable Minister underscores the country’s strategic commitment to aviation growth, economic integration, and global competitiveness.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the official unveiling of the next host of ICAN — an exciting development that favours one of Africa’s leading tourist destinations, Equatorial Guinea.
