Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, is set to begin direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo, Brazil, as part of agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to Brazil.
At a joint press conference with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President Lula confirmed the arrangement, emphasizing its role in strengthening bilateral ties.
“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,” he said.
The announcement followed a two-hour expanded bilateral meeting held at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília, where both leaders witnessed the signing of multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
Among the key signatories were Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, who signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement aimed at boosting trade and people-to-people connections.
Additionally, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, signed an agreement on Diplomatic Training Cooperation. The two also endorsed an MoU on political consultations to address bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
Further cooperation was formalized between Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos. They signed an MoU focusing on collaboration in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, innovation ecosystems, energy, space development, digital transformation, and raw materials research.
In the financial sector, Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, and Brazil’s Minister for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Aluísio Mercadante, signed an MoU to promote trade and investment cooperation, enhance agricultural financing, and support joint development projects.
