Tinubu Signs Landmark Nigeria-Brazil Air Service Agreement in Brasília

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday began a two-day state visit to Brazil with the signing of a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) designed to boost air connectivity between Africa’s and South America’s largest economies.

The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, was signed in Brasília by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of President Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the BASA is expected to pave the way for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, unlocking new opportunities in trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchanges. He noted that the deal will serve as a springboard for closer economic integration and stronger diplomatic relations between both countries.

President Tinubu, who led a powerful delegation including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Onoh Ojukwu; and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, was warmly received at the Presidential Palace in Brasília.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Lula da Silva praised the partnership, affirming Brazil’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria not only in aviation, but also in agriculture, infrastructure, and broader economic development.

The visit also features meetings with the leadership of Brazil’s National Congress, including the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, as well as an engagement with the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

Nigerian officials said the series of high-level talks scheduled for the second day of the visit will further cement Nigeria-Brazil relations and open fresh avenues for collaboration across multiple sectors.

The signing of the BASA marks a significant diplomatic milestone for the Tinubu administration, underscoring its commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and positioning the country as a key player in international commerce and mobility.