Nigeria has formalized a major air travel partnership with Brazil by signing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The announcement came via a statement from Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The agreement was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to Brazil, where he was warmly received by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.
The BASA was jointly signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both presidents.
According to the statement, the agreement marks a strategic step forward in connecting the two nations more directly through air travel, paving the way for increased trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.
“This development reflects the Tinubu administration’s continued efforts to deepen global partnerships and create an enabling environment for business and mobility,” Moshood stated.
President Lula expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting Brazil’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria across sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.
During the visit, President Tinubu is also scheduled to meet with top Brazilian leaders, including the Senate President, the heads of the Chamber of Deputies, and the Supreme Federal Court, as part of broader diplomatic engagements.
Discussions around initiating direct flights between both countries first began on October 7, 2024.
The new agreement is now expected to significantly enhance bilateral connectivity and foster long-term collaboration across multiple sectors.
