President Bola Tinubu begins a two-day state visit to Brazil with the signing of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), paving the way for direct flights and deeper economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Brazil
Tinubu Signs Landmark Nigeria-Brazil Air Service Deal to Boost Trade, Tourism, and Investment
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday kicked off a two-day state visit to Brazil with the signing of a historic Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) aimed at strengthening air connectivity between Africa’s and South America’s largest economies.
The landmark deal was formalized in Brasília through a Memorandum of Understanding signed 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 Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the BASA will pave the way for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, creating new opportunities in trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. He described the agreement as a springboard for stronger diplomatic and economic integration between both nations.
Leading a high-powered delegation, President Tinubu was received at the Presidential Palace in Brasília alongside key cabinet members 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.
During the signing ceremony, President Lula da Silva welcomed the partnership and expressed Brazil’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria not only in aviation but also in agriculture, infrastructure, and economic development.
The visit also features strategic meetings with leaders 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 confirmed that the second day of discussions will focus on broadening cooperation across multiple sectors.
The signing of the BASA represents a major 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, mobility, and development. Read More
