Nigeria’s flag carrier, Air Peace, has received approval to commence direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo.
This development marks a major milestone in the strengthening of Nigeria–Brazil relations.
The announcement followed President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brasília, where he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Advertisement
At a joint press briefing on Monday, President Lula confirmed the approval, saying: “Increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies.
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 agreement was finalized after a two-hour bilateral meeting at the Palácio do Planalto, during which both leaders witnessed the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and accords.
According to presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Nigeria’s aviation minister Festus Keyamo and Brazil’s minister of ports and airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, signed a bilateral air services agreement aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties.
President Tinubu, speaking during the visit, said: “These agreements show Nigeria’s commitment to deepening international partnerships that deliver tangible economic benefits.”
Other agreements signed included pacts on diplomatic training and political consultations by Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, and Brazil’s foreign minister, Mauro Vieira.
Science and technology collaboration MoUs were signed by Nigerian innovation minister Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Luciana Santos.
Additionally, agricultural financing and joint investment projects were agreed upon by the heads of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture and Brazil’s BNDES.
The new Lagos–São Paulo route will be Air Peace’s first intercontinental service to South America, expected to enhance tourism, cultural exchange, and trade between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s biggest market.
