President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brazil on a two-day state visit to strengthen cooperation and sign agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Brazilian government.
The Presidential Jet, Nigerian Air Force One (NAF-001), with the call sign “Eagle One”, landed at 12:30am, early Monday Morning, at Brasilia Air Base International Airport, Brazil.
President Tinubu, who flew in from Los Angeles, United States, was received by senior Brazilian government officials at the Brasília Air Base.
The officials included Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was also at the Air Base reception.
Other ministers, heads of key government agencies, and private sector members, who will participate in series of bilateral talks and MOU signings, later welcomed President Tinubu to his hotel.
The official welcoming ceremony, with full military honours, was also scheduled for the Nigerian Leader by the Brazilian government at the Planalto Palace.
At the Planalto, President Tinubu and the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will hold a tête-à-tête, followed by expanded bilateral meetings attended by senior officials of both governments.
The leaders will witness the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press conference afterwards.
Other Engagements
During the state visit, President Tinubu will meet with the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.
He will also participate in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum as part of a packed programme in Brasília on Monday.
Explaining President Tinubu’s third visit to Brazil in about 12months, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, in a post on his X social media handle, described the President’s visit as a strategic step, aimed at deepening cooperation with Latin America’s largest economy and a key member of the BRICS.
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According to Mr Dare, “the State Visit is yet another of President Tinubu’s Power Forward Diplomacy (PFD), one that obliterates obstacles but propels Nigeria into a new era of bold economic and political diplomacy.”
He highlighted that the President’s visit to Brazil reflects Nigeria’s broader ambition to diversify and strengthen its economy beyond traditional alliances.
”Carefully Crafted Strategy”
The Presidential Spokesperson, explained that “the State Visit is the next leap forward in a carefully crafted strategy — one that transforms shared history and mutual challenges into shared prosperity.”
Mr Dare listed the reasons the President’s visit is not only timely but essential for Nigeria’s growth.
“This is the third visit of President Tinubu to Brazil, and it is with a justifiable cause.
“It reflects a renewed and focused effort to build lasting economic integration between our countries—a journey that started 21 years ago under President Obasanjo and has gained fresh momentum under President Tinubu.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Media underscored the demographic parallels between Nigeria and Brazil, emphasising their comparable population sizes as a strategic foundation for deepening collaboration.
He highlighted Nigeria’s burgeoning population, projected at approximately 238 million in 2025, closely mirroring Brazil’s estimated 213 million inhabitants in the same year
“Brazil has a cattle herd of 238 million, even more than its human population.
“This success in agribusiness offers valuable lessons for us as we expand our livestock industry,” he said.
Substantial Agreements
Dare clarified that President Tinubu’s visit represents a decisive shift from diplomacy to substantial economic and political agreements.
“This third visit is a state visit, and it moves Nigeria from being a dialogue partner to actively cutting the necessary deals that will open up investments and strengthen cooperation,” he added.
Dare described President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil as a handshake between two Global players in their own rights across the Atlantic
He emphasized that Brazil is not a detour but a destination for mutual growth and enhanced opportunities
”Let the world take note : Brazil is therefore not a detour but a destination,” Mr Dare said.
During President Tinubu’s two day official state visit , the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil is expected to be finalised.
This landmark agreement aims to establish direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with anticipated operations of four to five weekly flights crossing the South Atlantic.
The BASA will facilitate frequent air travel, reduce travel time and logistics costs, boost trade (especially agricultural and manufactured exports), expand tourism, and deepen cultural ties between the two countries.
In other areas of agriculture, the Green Imperative Partnership (GIP), which kicks off after the visit, is to generate not less than 100,000 direct jobs and more than five million indirect jobs.
The agreement also includes potential cooperation on pilot training and airport infrastructure upgrades, further strengthening bilateral relations and economic resilience.
Sustainable Supply Chains
Brazil is a key partner in Nigeria’s food security programme.
The $2.5 billion JBS investment to strengthen food security and develop sustainable supply chains was signed in Brazil during President Tinubu’s participation at the 2024 G20 Leaders’ Summit.
The project aims to boost local production and create job opportunities for Nigerian youths.
The Green Imperative Programme (GIP), a $1.1 billion agricultural mechanisation project launched in 2019, is also on course.
It aims to supply 10,000 tractors and 50,000 units of farm equipment for assembly in Nigeria.
President Tinubu was also in Japan, last week, where he attended the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
Hauwa Abu