Nigeria and Brazil are poised to sign a Bilateral Air Service Agreement that will establish direct flights between the two countries during President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Brasília.
Special Adviser on Foreign Direct Investments to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Obafemi Bajomo, revealed Sunday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria that final documents are ready for exchange during the President’s two-day visit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The agreement will enable Nigerian carriers including Air Peace and Caverton to operate direct routes across the South Atlantic, with expectations of four to five weekly direct flights connecting the two nations.
“At the heart of this visit lies a long-anticipated breakthrough, the signing of BASA, a milestone that promises to redefine air connectivity, trade, and cultural exchange between the two largest economies in Africa and South America,” Bajomo stated.
The aviation deal traces its origins to May 2025 when Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo led a Nigerian delegation to Brasília for discussions with Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho. Those talks established a technical working group that accelerated negotiations toward the current agreement.
According to Bajomo, the bilateral agreement will significantly reduce travel time and logistics costs while opening new trade corridors, particularly benefiting agricultural products, manufactured goods, and services between the nations.
“For Nigerian exporters, Brazilian markets will become more accessible than ever before. With deep-rooted Yoruba heritage woven into Brazil’s history, this agreement reactivates centuries-old cultural bonds, opening opportunities for tourism, festivals, and people-to-people exchanges,” he explained.
Beyond flight operations, both countries have outlined technical cooperation initiatives including pilot training programs and airport infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global aviation.
Bajomo confirmed that all necessary approvals have been secured, including statutory processes, ministerial vetting, legal clearance from the Federal Ministry of Justice, and Federal Executive Council approval.
Citing Minister Keyamo’s perspective on the partnership, Bajomo emphasized that the agreement extends beyond aviation to strengthen cultural and economic relationships between the nations.
“Keyamo has described Nigeria and Brazil as twins separated at birth, now reunited, which signals the cultural and economic depth of the relationship,” he noted.
