President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brasília for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening Nigeria-Brazil relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors.

The presidential aircraft, Nigerian Air Force One (NAF-001), nicknamed “Eagle One”, touched down at Brasília International Airport around 12:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. Nigerian time). Tinubu was received by Carlos Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East; Carlos José Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria; and top Nigerian officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

On arrival at his hotel, the President was welcomed by Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abass, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Also in attendance were Finance Minister Wale Edun, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, among others.

The visit will feature high-level meetings with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace, where both leaders are expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and hold a joint press conference.

Focus Areas and Strategic Agreements

Tinubu’s engagements will include talks with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court. He will also participate in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum as part of efforts to attract private sector investments.

Discussions will focus on strengthening partnerships in aviation, agribusiness, livestock development, trade, cultural exchange, energy transition, and regional security. A major highlight of the visit will be the signing of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to enable direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.

Breakout sessions and sideline meetings involving Nigerian ministries will complement the official engagements, signaling what the Presidency describes as a “strategic move to diversify Nigeria’s economy and deepen Latin American partnerships.”