Nigeria’s flag carrier, Air Peace, will soon commence direct flights from Lagos to São Paulo, Brazil, following an agreement sealed during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the South American nation.
In a statement on Tuesday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the announcement was made by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at a joint press conference.
Onanuga explained that the flight arrangement was part of several bilateral agreements signed in Brasília after a two-hour expanded meeting between Tinubu and Lula.
Onanuga quoted Lula saying, “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.”
The aide added that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Filhos, signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to boost trade and people-to-people ties.
He added, “Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, signed an agreement on Diplomatic Training Cooperation.”
“Both ministers also signed an MoU on political consultations to address bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest.
“Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos, signed an MoU on cooperation in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, innovation ecosystems, energy, space development, digital transformation, and raw materials research.
He stated further that the Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin and Brazil’s Minister for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development, Aluísio Mercadante, “signed an MOU for cooperation on trade and investment promotion, harmonising efforts to expand agricultural financing, investment, and joint projects.”
