Deborah Akinyosoye
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, has signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the Federative Republic of Brazil.
The President, who is on a 2-day working visit to the South American country, led a delegation of senior 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, among others.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, described the pact as a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two largest economies in their respective continents.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Keyamo and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both Heads of State.
The BASA creates a framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, opening new opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. It is also expected to enhance diplomatic cooperation and deepen economic integration between the two nations.
According to Moshood, the agreement represents a strategic milestone that underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating enabling conditions for commerce and mobility.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hailed the partnership, affirming his country’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
Moshood added that Tinubu’s visit will also include meetings with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.
The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, highlighting both nations’ resolve to pursue mutual growth and prosperity.