Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil: Air Peace to begin direct flight from Lagos to São Paulo

Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, will soon commence direct flights from Lagos to the Brazilian city of São Paulo.

The agreement was part of the outcomes of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil, where he met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to strengthen bilateral ties.

At a joint press conference, President Lula confirmed the development, describing it as a significant step in deepening relations between both countries. “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,” he said.

Following a two-hour expanded bilateral meeting, Tinubu and Lula witnessed the signing of several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to boost trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, signed agreements on diplomatic training and political consultations to address bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest.

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, also signed an MoU with Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos, covering cooperation in biotechnology, renewable energy, ocean science, space development, and digital transformation.

In addition, Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, and Brazil’s Minister for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Aluísio Mercadante, signed an MoU to expand agricultural financing, investment, and joint projects.