• Says Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad yielding dividends
• Journey of over 24 hours to be reduced to 7 – Minister of information
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Brasilia- Brazil
Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, is poised to make history by launching its inaugural direct flight from Lagos to São Paulo, Brazil, by the last week of November into December 2025. The announcement was made by Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema during the recent Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signing between Nigeria and Brazil, a key outcome of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil.
Onyema described the BASA as a “milestone achieved by the President Bola Tinubu administration,” emphasizing its critical role in strengthening the long-overdue air connectivity between the two largest economies in Africa and Latin America. He underscored the strategic importance of aviation in economic development, stating,
“The Brazilian economy is the largest in Latin America. The Nigerian economy is the largest in Africa. Both countries are very rich, both in human and natural resources.
They need to tap into this. But without aviation, it’s very, very difficult for some of these things to be actualized.” He called aviation a “catalyst for development,” highlighting that the new flight route would unlock vast opportunities for trade and cultural exchange.
Regarding Air Peace’s operational plan, Onyema revealed, “We are looking forward to starting towards the last week of November into December this year.”
Initially, the airline plans to operate three weekly flights on the Lagos–Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo–Lagos route with hopes to increase frequency as the route gains traction. He proudly pointed out that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva designated Air Peace as Nigeria’s lead carrier to operate the BASA flights, reflecting confidence in the airline’s capacity to enhance bilateral ties.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shed light on the broader diplomatic context of the agreement. He recalled the “350 years of slavery between Africa and Brazil,” framing the BASA and other signed agreements as efforts to “reconnect, rebuild and invest” across economic, financial, social, and cultural dimensions. Idris said, “Once President Bola Tinubu travels out of this country, he’s not just speaking for Nigeria, he’s also speaking for the whole of Africa.”
Idris also cited recent high-level exchanges between the two nations, including visits by Brazilian and Nigerian ministers across health, aviation, science, and technology sectors, as laying the groundwork for profound collaboration. He praised synchronized reforms in both countries, especially tax system overhauls, aiming at fostering a stable environment for trade and investment growth.
Remarkably, Idris announced that Air Peace was set to operate a symbolic midnight flight back to Abuja from Brazil, shaving approximately seven hours off travel times traditionally exceeding 24 hours. He highlighted that the BASA’s benefits extend beyond commerce, enriching cultural and social relations by connecting Nigeria’s sizable diaspora in Brazil with Brazilian communities in Lagos.
Supporting Air Peace’s expansion is the airline’s recent acquisition of a fourth Boeing 777-200ER aircraft configured for enhanced passenger comfort. Scheduled to bolster routes to Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, this wide-body jet aligns with the airline’s vision to make international travel more affordable and accessible for Nigerians while challenging foreign carriers’ high fares. Onyema praised President Tinubu and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo for their policies encouraging Nigeria’s airlines to compete globally.
This landmark BASA signing caps a series of agreements inked during President Tinubu’s visit, including cooperation on diplomatic training, political consultations, science and technology, and agricultural financing. Nigeria and Brazil’s trade relationship in 2024 neared US$2.1 billion, highlighting the promising economic potential unlocked through enhanced connectivity.
President Lula emphasized the significance of the air agreement, 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.” He framed the partnership as a commitment to free trade and productive integration between the world’s two largest Black-majority nations.
Festus Keyamo, Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, signed the BASA to enhance trade and people-to-people connections. Other agreements covered diplomatic training cooperation, science and technology innovation, and agricultural investment.
At the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília, several other agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed in the presence of the two leaders. These included an agreement on Diplomatic Training Cooperation signed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira. Additionally, the two ministers signed an MoU on political consultations aimed at addressing bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest.
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos, signed an MoU on cooperation in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, innovation ecosystems, energy, space development, digital transformation, and raw materials research.
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 for cooperation on trade and investment promotion, harmonising efforts to expand agricultural financing, investment, and joint projects.
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 fertilisers.
Leave a comment