The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Wednesday received the Ambassador of Namibia to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb, in Abuja to discuss aviation cooperation and visa facilitation between the two countries.
Their discussions focused on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Namibia and strategies to enhance aviation connectivity.
Geiseb recalled the historical significance of Air Namibia’s operations in West Africa, highlighting that the national carrier previously linked Lagos to Accra and played a crucial role in connecting travelers between Namibia and Nigeria. However, the airline ceased operations after facing financial difficulties despite a government bailout.
He noted that direct travel between Windhoek and Nigeria remains a challenge, with passengers often transiting through Addis Ababa. Although TAG Airlines occasionally operates flights, they are insufficient to meet demand.
The Ambassador expressed Namibia’s interest in partnering with Nigerian airlines to restore direct connectivity and revealed ongoing discussions with Air Peace. He urged Keyamo to engage domestic airlines for possible collaborations.
In response, the minister welcomed the proposal and shared his personal experience on the challenges of establishing direct flight routes in the region.
“The Algeria-Lagos-Cameroon flight became a reality after the Algerian Ambassador proposed it, despite the proximity of Nigeria and Cameroon,” he said.
He also noted that Xejet, a fast-growing Nigerian airline that currently operates Air Sierra Leone, could be a potential partner in establishing a direct flight between Nigeria and Namibia.
Geiseb assured the minister that he would engage Namibia’s Minister of Aviation to arrange a visit aimed at strengthening bilateral aviation ties.
Additionally, Keyamo raised concerns about visa challenges between Nigeria and Namibia, recalling his own difficulty obtaining a visa despite holding a diplomatic passport.
He urged the Ambassador to facilitate smoother travel processes to boost trade, investment and tourism between the two nations.
Both officials agreed to work together to resolve aviation and visa issues, ensuring stronger bilateral ties and improved travel convenience for citizens of both countries.
This meeting marks a significant step in advancing aviation and diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Namibia, with both nations committed to fostering economic growth through enhanced air connectivity.
