President Bola Tinubu, and his Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo Monday signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the largest South American country, Federative Republic of Brazil.
The President who is on a two-day working visit was in company of senior cabinet members, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, the Minister State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Onoh Ojukwu, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, among others.
Keyamo in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, said the agreement was signed by Keyamo, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both Heads of State.
The BASA, the statement hinted, establishes a new framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, opening fresh avenues for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Keyamo added: “It is expected to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate cultural ties, and enhance diplomatic cooperation between both nations.
“This agreement is a strategic milestone that underscores President Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating enabling environments for commerce and mobility.
The Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in his remarks, lauded the partnership, emphasising Brazil’s readiness to deepen ties with Nigeria in multiple spheres, including aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The on-going state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.