President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 18, 2024, to deliberate on bolstering bilateral ties between their nations. Amidst discussions spanning various sectors, including academia, culture, commerce, agriculture, and industry, particular attention was placed on establishing direct flight operations between Lagos and São Paulo, the financial capitals of Nigeria and Brazil, respectively.
President Lula da Silva underscored the significance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, lamenting the absence of direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo as a hindrance to fostering closer ties. He stressed the need to rectify this issue, citing the potential benefits for both countries, especially in facilitating business exchanges, promoting tourism, and strengthening people-to-people interactions.
In response, President Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s willingness to pursue the establishment of direct air links with Brazil, recognizing it as a crucial step towards deepening bilateral relations. He acknowledged the importance of overcoming logistical barriers and committed to convening a committee of cabinet members to collaborate with their Brazilian counterparts in developing a joint action plan.
In addition to discussing air connectivity, the leaders explored avenues for expanding cooperation across various domains. President Lula da Silva highlighted the rich potential for collaboration in academia, culture, and trade, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to strengthen ties between the two countries.
He lamented the decline in trade volume between the two countries from over $10 billion to $1.6 billion. He expressed his commitment to leveraging Brazil’s experience and expertise to support Nigeria’s development goals.
President Tinubu echoed these sentiments, underscoring Nigeria’s eagerness to deepen engagement with Brazil across multiple sectors. He emphasized the importance of learning from Brazil’s successes, particularly in agriculture and industry, and expressed confidence in the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Both leaders discussed the possibility of President Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil and agreed to work out the modalities for such a visit. They also reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade and cooperation, particularly in solid mineral exploration, healthcare, and agriculture.
The discussions on direct flights and broader collaboration underscored the mutual desire of Nigeria and Brazil to overcome historical challenges and forge a more robust partnership. By prioritizing enhanced air connectivity and exploring avenues for cooperation in various fields, both leaders signalled their commitment to unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange, ultimately benefiting the citizens of both nations.
