By Elizabeth Godwin
Nigeria has signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil, paving the way for direct flights between the two countries and strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation.
The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the agreement was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to Brazil, where he was received by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to Moshood, the signing of the BASA was one of the key highlights of the visit. The agreement was formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) 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 heads of state.
“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,” the statement read. It added that the development is expected to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate cultural exchanges, and deepen diplomatic ties.
Moshood described the agreement as a strategic milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector, noting that it reflects the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda of expanding global partnerships and creating enabling environments for commerce and mobility.
In his remarks, President Lula praised the partnership, stressing Brazil’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria across aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, and other key sectors. He said the agreement represents a step towards greater collaboration between the two leading nations of Africa and South America.
The statement further revealed that President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil would feature a series of high-level engagements, including meetings with the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, as well as the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Supreme Federal Court.
“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, (today) will also feature engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity,” Moshood said.
Nigeria and Brazil first opened talks on direct flights on October 7, 2024, but Monday’s agreement marks the formal commencement of a new phase in bilateral aviation and economic relations.
