Nigeria has signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil to strengthen economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday.
He said the signing took place during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day state visit to Brazil, where he was received by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A major highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing direct flights between both countries.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, signed the agreement in the presence of the two heads of state.
According to Moshood, the BASA provides a framework for direct air connectivity, creating fresh opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchanges. He described the move as a strategic milestone that reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding global partnerships and promoting commerce and mobility.
Brazil’s president welcomed the pact, pledging to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The statement further revealed that President Tinubu will meet the president of the Brazilian Senate, the heads of the Chamber of Deputies, and the Supreme Federal Court during his visit. The trip also includes high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations in various sectors.
Nigeria first began talks with Brazil on facilitating direct flights on 7 October 2024.