FG targets expanded economic partnerships with Brazil in energy, aviation

Nigeria is seeking to deepen economic ties with Brazil by attracting investments across key sectors.

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, led the discussions at a Brazil–Nigeria business roundtable held in Rio de Janeiro.

A statement issued Tuesday by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s special assistant on media and communications strategy, said the event was organised under the auspices of ApexBrasil, Brazil’s leading investment promotion agency, in collaboration with the Brazilian foreign ministry and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).

Participants were José Luis Gordon, director of productive development, innovation, and foreign trade at BNDES; Raphael Cittadino, executive chief of staff at ApexBrasil; and Marcelo Salum, head of investment promotion at Brazil’s foreign ministry.

Notable Brazilian companies like Petrobras and Embraer were also in attendance.

Basil Okolo, chargé d’affaires at the Nigerian Embassy in Brazil, and Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), were among the participants.

Tuggar called for the revitalisation of Nigeria-Brazil trade relations.

He said renewed economic engagement must leverage both countries’ comparative advantages, with private enterprise innovation and robust governmental support as critical drivers.

“Our countries share a legacy of cooperation. Now is the time to translate that legacy into tangible economic progress,” Tuggar said.

“Nigeria presents vast opportunities across energy, agriculture, aviation, and digital technology, and stands open for business.”

Tuggar said the country is undergoing economic reforms and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness for strategic, long-term partnerships with Brazil.