Tinubu Secures Air Peace Direct Flights From Lagos to São Paulo

 

Nigeria is set to deepen its diplomatic and economic relations with Brazil following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to the South American country, where several landmark agreements were signed, including the launch of direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo by Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline.

During a joint press conference held at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed that the two nations had agreed to boost connectivity and trade through a new aviation partnership.

“Increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies. We have approved the launch of a direct flight, to be operated by Nigeria’s largest airline company, Air Peace, between Lagos and São Paulo,” President Lula announced.

The development marks the first time Nigeria will establish a direct air link with Brazil, a move widely expected to ease travel for business leaders, tourists, students, and members of the Nigerian and Brazilian diaspora. Analysts also believe it will foster stronger trade relations, particularly in the areas of agriculture, technology, and energy.

The decision to launch the Air Peace direct flight was one of several major outcomes from a two-hour expanded bilateral meeting between the two leaders. The discussions culminated in the signing of a series of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering multiple sectors, witnessed by both presidents.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) designed to strengthen aviation ties, promote trade, and enhance people-to-people connections.

In the area of diplomacy, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, formalized an agreement on Diplomatic Training Cooperation. The two ministers also signed an MoU on political consultations, aimed at creating a structured framework for addressing bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.

Highlighting the importance of technological development, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos, entered into a landmark MoU covering cooperation in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, innovation ecosystems, energy, space development, digital transformation, and raw materials research.

The agreement is expected to unlock opportunities for joint research, innovation partnerships, and technology transfers, providing new platforms for both countries to address pressing challenges in renewable energy, climate change, and industrial development.

Agriculture also featured prominently in the bilateral discussions. The Managing Director of Nigeria's Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, signed an MoU with Aluísio Mercadante, Brazil’s Minister for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES).

The agreement will focus on trade and investment promotion, with a special emphasis on expanding agricultural financing and harmonizing efforts to drive investment in joint projects. Observers note that Nigeria stands to benefit from Brazil’s vast experience in agribusiness, while Brazil will gain access to Nigeria’s growing agricultural market and consumer base.

President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil underscores Nigeria’s renewed foreign policy strategy of diversifying partnerships and strengthening South-South cooperation. Brazil, with its robust economy and leadership in agriculture, energy, and technology, represents a key partner for Nigeria in its drive for economic transformation.

The agreements signed during the visit are expected to bolster Nigeria’s efforts to attract investment, diversify exports, and accelerate growth in critical sectors. The Air Peace direct flights, in particular, are projected to reduce travel time between Lagos and São Paulo, making trade, tourism, and cultural exchange more seamless.

Diplomatic analysts say the agreements reflect both nations’ commitment to deepen their longstanding historical ties. Brazil has one of the largest populations of African descent outside Africa, with millions tracing their roots back to West Africa, especially Nigeria. Direct flights, therefore, will not only promote commerce but also foster stronger cultural and social bonds.

As Nigeria’s economy seeks new engines of growth, partnerships like the one with Brazil could provide much-needed momentum. With agreements signed across aviation, diplomacy, science, technology, and agriculture, the Tinubu-Lula engagement sets the stage for a stronger and more dynamic Nigeria-Brazil partnership.

The launch of Air Peace’s Lagos–São Paulo route, when operational, will symbolize this new chapter—offering Nigerians and Brazilians a faster, more convenient bridge between two continents, while reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to be a central hub for trade and diplomacy in Africa.

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