Nigeria and Brazil have signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), paving the way for direct flights between the two countries and opening new opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.
The agreement was concluded during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-day state visit to Brazil, where he held talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília. A major highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding formalising the BASA between both nations. Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, signed for his country, with both presidents standing witness.
The pact establishes a formal framework for direct air connectivity, a development expected to boost economic integration and strengthen diplomatic cooperation between Africa’s largest economy and South America’s biggest market. Officials say the new arrangement will also enhance mobility for commerce, tourism, and people-to-people connections, while paving the way for collaboration in aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
Speaking at the signing, President Tinubu described the BASA as a strategic milestone for Nigeria, underscoring his administration’s commitment to expanding global partnerships. “This agreement is about unlocking opportunities for our people—opportunities in trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. It is a testament to Nigeria’s determination to strengthen ties with global partners for mutual prosperity,” he said.
President Lula da Silva welcomed the pact as a practical step toward deeper engagement between both nations. “Brazil is ready to work hand in hand with Nigeria, not only in aviation but across agriculture, infrastructure, and other sectors that bind our economies and cultures together,” he noted.
Tinubu’s delegation to Brasília included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Onoh Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior officials. Beyond the BASA signing, the visit also features high-level meetings with the presidents of Brazil’s Senate, Chamber of Deputies, and the Supreme Federal Court.
The Nigeria-Brazil BASA marks a new chapter in bilateral relations, creating pathways for stronger cooperation, shared growth, and a more connected future between the two nations.
