Nigeria has commenced discussions on partnerships towards establishing a national airline for the country, according to the Presidency.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said this in a statement issued yesterday from Qatar where President Muhammadu Buhari is currently on a state visit.

He, however, did not provide details of the proposed national carrier.
The minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had said in Abuja earlier this month that President Buhari had set up a committee for the establishment of a national carrier even before appointing his ministers.
Adesina also stated that Nigeria and Qatar yesterday in Doha signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to pave way for direct flights between major cities of both countries.
He said Sirika signed on behalf of Nigeria while Qatar’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Jassim Bin Saif Alsulaiti, signed on behalf the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani.
He said the agreement which was signed in the presence of both leaders was expected to operate on the principle of reciprocity by the designated airlines on behalf of the countries.
Adesina said it was also expected that the agreement on the bilateral air service would promote trade, commerce and tourism between the two countries.
He further stated that on the sideline of Buhari’s state visit, Nigeria and Qatar also signed an agreement on avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion.
He said Nigerian Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, signed the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes income with her Qatari counterpart, Ali Shareef Al Emadi.

Source: Daily Trust