Air Peace, Nigeria’s national carrier, has secured approval from Brazil to commence direct flights between Lagos and Sao Paulo.
Gatekeepers News reports that development was announced after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil, where he held bilateral talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília.
At a joint press conference, Lula highlighted the significance of the deal, stating: “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.”
According to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, the flight agreement was reached after a two-hour bilateral meeting during which both leaders witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Silvio Costa Filho, Brazil’s minister of ports and airports, signed a bilateral air services agreement to boost trade and people-to-people ties.
Additionally, Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, and Mauro Vieira, Brazil’s foreign minister, signed an agreement on diplomatic training cooperation as well as an MoU on political consultations to address bilateral, regional, and international issues.
Other agreements included an MoU on science, technology, and innovation signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos.
Similarly, Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture MD, Ayo Sotinrin, and Aluísio Mercadante, president of Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), signed an MoU to expand agricultural financing and investment.
