Nigeria-Brazil BASA: Air Peace Gets Approval For Lagos-São Paulo Flights

“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.”
These were the words of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria yesterday at a joint press conference in Brasília during his State Visit to Brazil, where Nigeria and Brazil signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen trade, diplomacy, science, aviation, and finance cooperation.
President Tinubu praised President Lula’s commitment to revitalizing the partnership between the two countries, noting that Nigeria’s economic space remains a virgin land, full of opportunities for Brazilian companies.
He acknowledged Embraer’s efforts in addressing the critical challenges of local airline operations in Nigeria, primarily through establishing a Service Centre to serve as a hub for the sub-region in essential repairs and maintenance of its ever-increasing fleet in Nigeria.
President Tinubu recalled his previous engagements in Brazil and emphasized the urgency of moving beyond symbolic ties to concrete economic cooperation.
”I don’t see why the technological superiority of Brazil is not shared with Africa. We assured each other that only we can develop our economies to help our sovereignty.”
The President assured investors that Nigeria’s economic reforms are yielding results. “The reforms I’ve embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria have been very impactful. It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming.

A statement from Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy quoted the President as saying on the BASA agreement that “increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies.”

Following a two-hour expanded bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements and MOUs at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to boost trade and people-to-people ties.
Nigeria is Brazil’s 49th largest export destination, with trade totalling nearly US$2.1 billion in 2024. Brazil exported almost US$1 billion to Nigeria, primarily sugar and jams, and imported US$1.1 billion, mostly fertilizers.