26/08/2025
Tinubu Secures Direct Lagos–São Paulo Flight as Nigeria, Brazil Deepen Ties
Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, is set to launch direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo, following agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil.
The arrangement was confirmed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at a joint press conference with President Tinubu in Brasília. “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,” President Lula declared.
The announcement came after a two-hour expanded bilateral meeting at the Palácio do Planalto, where both leaders witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding. These covered aviation, diplomacy, political cooperation, science and technology, as well as trade and investment. Among the signatories were Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, who formalised a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to enhance connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchange.
Further accords included a diplomatic training cooperation pact signed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, alongside an MoU on political consultations. In the field of science and technology, Nigeria’s Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Luciana Santos signed an agreement to collaborate in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, energy, digital transformation, and space development.
Additionally, Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture chief, Ayo Sotinrin, and Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development president, Aluísio Mercadante, sealed an MoU to promote agricultural financing, investment, and joint projects.
The direct Lagos–São Paulo route is expected to boost trade, tourism, and cultural links, marking a new chapter in Nigeria-Brazil relations.