Nigeria signs direct flight agreement with Brazil
Nigeria has signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil to strengthen economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The signing took place during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day state visit to Brazil.
Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the minister of aviation and aerospace development, made this known in a statement on Monday.
Tinubu, accompanied by senior cabinet members including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, was received by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Moshood said a key highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalising direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.
“The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both Heads of State,” the statement read.
“The BASA establishes a new framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, opening fresh avenues for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
“It is expected to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate cultural ties, and enhance diplomatic cooperation between both nations.”
Moshood described the pact as “a strategic milestone that underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating enabling environments for commerce and mobility.”
In his remarks, President Lula praised the partnership and reaffirmed Brazil’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The statement added that Tinubu will also meet with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the Presidents of the chamber of deputies and the supreme federal court, as well as hold high-level engagements across multiple sectors.
