Nigeria and Brazil have signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) to facilitate direct flights between the two countries, marking a significant step toward deepening economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties.
The pact was sealed yesterday in Brasília by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to Keyamo’s media adviser, Tunde Moshood, the agreement is set to open new opportunities in trade, tourism, investment, and mobility between Africa’s and South America’s largest economies.
“This agreement is a strategic milestone that underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating enabling environments for commerce and mobility,” Moshood stated.
Airlines and Routes
Under the arrangement, Brazil’s Varig Air will operate flights from Rio de Janeiro, while Nigeria’s Air Peace and Caverton Airlines will serve the Lagos–Rio de Janeiro route.
Strengthening Ties
President Lula hailed the agreement as a gateway to broader cooperation between both nations, highlighting areas such as agriculture and infrastructure development.
President Tinubu, who was accompanied by Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odimegwu-Ojukwu, and Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, will also meet today with the leadership of Brazil’s National Congress, Chamber of Deputies, and Supreme Federal Court.
The engagements, according to officials, signal a shared commitment to building a robust partnership of mutual growth and prosperity that extends well beyond aviation.