Full list: The 30 countries Nigeria offers direct flights to

News Express |28th Aug 2025 | 130

File photo of a foreign-bound Nigerian flight

Nigeria currently offers direct flights to 30 countries across four continents, with a new route to Brazil set to begin soon, according to aviation data compiled by Statisense from FlightConnections.

The list spans Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, highlighting Nigeria’s role as a key air travel hub in West Africa. Five international airports: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu, handle these services, with Lagos and Abuja managing the bulk of intercontinental traffic.

Within Africa, Nigerian carriers and international partners link the country to Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo and Uganda. These connections support regional trade and family visits across the continent.

In Asia, direct services are available to Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi routes are especially significant during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, while Gulf destinations continue to serve business and labour migration flows.

Nigeria also maintains direct links with France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in Europe, routes heavily used by business travellers and members of the Nigerian diaspora. In North America, direct flights connect Lagos and Abuja to major hubs in the United States, including Atlanta and New York.

As of August 2025, Nigeria’s network covers 56 airports in 30 countries and is serviced by 38 airlines, including domestic operators such as Air Peace, Ibom Air and United Nigeria Airlines, alongside global carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways and Emirates.

The longest current non-stop route is Lagos–Atlanta, covering 5,835 miles in nearly 12 hours. Seasonal services also operate from 14 additional Nigerian airports, adapting to passenger demand.

Nigeria is preparing to add Brazil to its direct flight list following the signing of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brasília. Air Peace is expected to operate the route, with LATAM Airlines likely to reciprocate. The move will revive a connection last served by VARIG in the 1970s and 1990s and is expected to cut travel time to about 10 hours.

With the addition of Brazil, Nigeria’s direct flight network will expand to 31 countries, strengthening its position as a regional aviation hub.

Full list of countries with direct flights from Nigeria:

1. Algeria

2. Angola

3. Benin

4. Cameroon

5. Chad

6. Côte d’Ivoire

7. Egypt

8. Equatorial Guinea

9. Ethiopia

10. Gabon