On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu warmly received the new Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos Jose Areias, and encouraged him to view Nigeria as his second home.
During their meeting, President Tinubu highlighted the numerous similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, emphasizing the deep-rooted bilateral and cultural ties between the two nations.
As he accepted the Ambassador’s Letter of Credence, President Tinubu appealed to Areias to attract Brazilian investors to Nigeria, particularly in the livestock and dairy farming sectors. “We have a long history of bilateral and cultural relations with Brazil,” the President noted. “You must see Nigeria as your second home and explore the abundant economic opportunities here.”
President Tinubu also referenced his recent discussions with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, stating, “We agreed to energize the economic development of our two countries, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration.”
In response, Ambassador Carlos Jose Areias expressed his commitment to strengthening economic ties between Brazil and Nigeria. He acknowledged the cultural and social similarities between the two countries and pledged to enhance trade relations.
“I feel very much at home here with the culture, music, and people of Nigeria,” the Ambassador said. “Ten years ago, the trade volume between our nations was around $10 billion. I will work tirelessly to improve that figure. Africa is a top priority for President Lula, and Nigeria holds a particularly important place in our foreign relations.”
Ambassador Areias assured President Tinubu of his dedication to fostering closer economic and cultural ties between Brazil and Nigeria, underscoring the significance of Nigeria in Brazil’s engagement with Africa.
