Air Peace, Nigeria’s national flag carrier, will soon begin direct flight operations from Lagos to the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.
The direct flight was one of the agreements reached between President Bola Tinubu and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, during a state visit by the Nigerian leader.
Lula announced the deal at a joint news conference with Tinubu, according to a statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Tinubu on information and strategy.
“Increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies,” he said.
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“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.”
The development was said to have followed a two-hour bilateral meeting at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília, where the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
Onanuga said Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Silvio Costa Filhos, Brazil’s minister of ports and airports, signed a bilateral air services agreement to “boost trade and people-to-people ties”.
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He said Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, and her Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, signed an agreement on diplomatic training cooperation.
Both ministers also signed an MoU on political consultations to address bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest, the presidential aide said.
“Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos, signed an MoU on cooperation in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, innovation ecosystems, energy, space development, digital transformation, and raw materials research,” the statement reads.
“Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin and Brazil’s Minister for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Aluísio Mercadante, signed an MOU for cooperation on trade and investment promotion, harmonising efforts to expand agricultural financing, investment, and joint projects.”
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Tinubu arrived in Brasília, Brazil’s capital city, on August 25 for a two-day state visit, after a trip to Los Angeles, United States (US).
The president was received by senior Brazilian government officials at the Brasília Air Base.
