The Brazil pact of Tinubu, the new flight course and what awaits us

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With the painful legs and tired eyes, Ibrahim Abdulwahab descended from a flight of the Ethiopian airlines to San Paolo, in Brazil, almost 48 hours after leaving Abuja.
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In addition, the long stops had stretched his journey to an exhausting Calvani.
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The graduate of the University of Brasilia, now Portuguese teacher, regularly endures this exhausting routine to visit the family and continue his work, a familiar experience to many Nigerians in Brazil.
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However, this arduous journey could soon be a memory of the past, not only for Abdulwahab, but also for the growing number of Nigerians looking for opportunities in Brazil for study, business, tourism or cultural reconnection.
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A journey that takes more than 48 hours will now be cut just seven, thanks to the direct flights between the two countries. “
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In fact, this perspective became clearer in the early hours of August 25, when the presidential jet of Nigeria, NAF-001, nicknamed “Eagle One”, landed at Brazilia’s international airport.
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President Bola Tinubu had arrived for a two -day state visit, his third trip to Brazil this year, underlining Nigeria’s renewed commitment to strengthen the ties with the largest economy in South America.
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Coming directly from the commitments in Japan in Ticad9 and a stop in Los Angeles, Tinubu wasted no time to resume a frenetic diplomatic rhythm.
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In the morning, the streets of Brasilia were alive of color when it was welcomed with complete military honors by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Palazzo Planalto.
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It is important to underline that the meeting was not simply ceremonial.
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Both leaders chaired the signature of five Memorandumi critical of understanding (Mou) in aviation, trade, energy, agriculture, science and technology.
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“Today’s commitment marks the renewal of the historical relationship between Nigeria and Brazil.
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“I can’t wait to work with President Lula to deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy, trade and culture, to build a future of shared prosperity,” said Tinubu.
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In particular, the visit saw the signing of a bilateral agreement of air services (Basa), opening the way to direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil for the first time in decades.
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According to the Mine of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, “This agreement is a turning point for the Nigeria aeronautical industry.
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“It will open new opportunities for Nigerian companies, tourism and will improve diplomatic ties.
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“For companies, the agreement will simplify the load movement, will reduce shipping costs and strengthen trade.
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“For Nigerian normal, in particular the diaspora, reports more travel and a stronger cultural reconnection,” said Keyamo.
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Likewise, Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace and aerial carrier designated in Nigeria for the Lagos-Sao-Paulo route has praised development.
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“Well, it’s a milestone. The shuttles of President Bola Tinubu abroad have started paying dividends for the good of our nation.
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“Today, the bilateral agreement of air services has been signed between the two countries, Brazil and Nigeria.
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“And I’m sure you heard when President Lula in Brazil said that the largest carrier of Nigeria, Airbus, was designated to implement this Base by managing flight operations inside and outside Brazil in Nigeria,” he added.
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Onyema confirmed that Air Peace will begin direct flights by November 2025, thus unlocking an economic boom.
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In addition to the aviation, the agreements have extended to trade and agriculture, with a new memorandum that expands bilateral trade in agriculture, energy and digital technology.
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Tinubu stressed: “Brazil is a natural partner for Nigeria in agriculture, given our complementary resources and skills.
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“We are ready to collaborate more closely to improve food safety in both nations.”
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This reflects the previous agricultural cooperation of Nigeria with Brazil in the 70s, when both countries tried to mechanar agriculture and face the lack of food.
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Today, with over 60 % of the Nigeria workforce in agriculture, this collaboration could modernize agriculture and increase productivity.
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The Minister of Brazilian agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, added: “We are eager to share our technological progress in agriculture with Nigeria.
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“This collaboration will lead to a food revolution in both countries”.
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In addition, the energy presented in the foreground. Brazil has committed to supporting Nigeria in downsizing solar projects, wind and clean energy.
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Tinubu said: “Energy is a key pillar of our vision for the future of Nigeria.
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“Brazil experience will help us jump into cleaner and more efficient energy systems.”
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In addition, he invited Petrobras, Brazil’s oil giant, to return to Nigeria after suspending the operations in Nigeria, underlining: “We have the largest gas repository.
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“So, I don’t see why Petrobras does not join the partner in Nigeria as soon as possible. I appreciate the promise of President Lula that this will be done”.
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In the meantime, scientific and technological cooperation has also acquired attention.
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Paulo Alvim, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil, observed: “We have seen the rise of the Nigeria technological sector and we are anxious to support it with our knowledge and resources.
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“This collaboration should strengthen Nigeria’s start ecosystem, promoting innovation and transfer of skills to a sector that already attracts global attention”.
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In addition, the delegation of Tinubu guaranteed investment commitments in agriculture, energy and infrastructure, with potential affluent estimated in over 30 billion dollars.
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Brazil has undertaken to support Nigeria on streets, ports and bridges, exploiting its engineering competence.
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Next to this, the cultural and educational ties have been renewed.
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Both governments have agreed on students, research partnerships and artistic collaborations, reviving Afro-Brazilian bonds dating back to the nineteenth century.
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As Camilo Santana said, the Minister of Education Brazil: “We can’t wait to facilitate exchange programs between Brazilian and Nigerian universities”.
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Historically, the links between Nigeria and Brazil are centuries deep.
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The freed Afro-Brazilian slaves returned to Lagos, bringing architecture, cuisine and religious practices that enriched the cultural fabric of Nigeria.
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Known as the “Aguda” community, their influence remains visible today.
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Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1961.
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In the 70s, both nations pursued a stronger South -Sud cooperation, in particular in agriculture and energy.
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Although the relationships slowed down in the early 2000s, the return of Petrobras to Nigeria in 1998 and cultural exchange programs contributed to maintaining the partnership.
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Today, the Tinubu agreements mark a awakening of historical obligations, merging cultural reconnection with modern trade, technology and strategic cooperation.
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The Minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria, Mohammed Idris, described the visit as “more than a state visit.
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“It is a symbolic healing of historical wounds. It concerns the cultural reconnection, the economic collaboration and the redefinition of our shared future.
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“And you know when the president Tinubu speaks, he speaks for the continent. Nigeria is a continental and global leader”.
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On Sunday Dare, special consultant for media and public communications, offered a similar perspective, claiming that the visit reflects the wider effort of Tinubu to diversify the global partnerships of Nigeria.
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He explained that “Brazil has a livestock of cattle of 238 million; more than its human population.
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“This success in the agri -food offers us precious lessons while we expand our cattle sector.”
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As a whole, these commitments reflect the long-standing tradition of the south-south cooperation of Nigeria, from its role of leadership in the not aligned movement in active participation in the G77.
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Historically, Nigeria has used such partnerships to balance relationships with western powers, strengthening alliances in the global South.
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Analysts, however, warn that the success of these agreements will depend on how Nigeria’s ministries and agencies act to implement them.
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However, if fully implemented, Brazil’s commitment could become the launch for the long -long economic transformation of Nigeria.
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It has the potential to unlock jobs, technology and investments, making the country’s aspiration advance to become an economy of trillion dollars by 2030. (NAN)