Nigeria and Brazil have taken a significant step towards establishing a direct air link by forming a joint technical working group. This group is tasked with finalizing the long-awaited direct flight agreement between the two nations. The decision emerged from a high-level meeting in Brasília between Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho.

The meeting signifies a renewed commitment to concluding the bilateral air service agreement (BASA), which had been previously delayed due to bureaucratic challenges. According to a statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Nigerian minister, both ministers acknowledged the deep historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil and agreed on the urgent need to operationalize a direct air link.

The newly formed technical working group is responsible for drafting and harmonizing the BASA for signature in the coming weeks. This development is considered a crucial step toward the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, which is expected to create new avenues for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

During the bilateral meeting, Minister Keyamo emphasized the potential benefits of the initiative, highlighting its capacity to strengthen economic and cultural connections between the two countries. He stressed the urgency of establishing the air link, stating that "Nigeria is the largest country in Africa, and Brazil is one of the biggest in South America. No matter how we want to look at it, this air-link must commence without delay.” Keyamo also highlighted the shared history between Nigeria and Brazil, noting the presence of the Yoruba tribe in Brazil, who still speak the same language.

Beyond air connectivity, the ministers expressed interest in exploring collaboration in areas such as knowledge sharing, technical training, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities within the aviation and aerospace sectors. Keyamo’s visit to Brazil, which includes discussions with top executives at Embraer, a global aircraft manufacturer, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to establish a direct air corridor between Nigeria and South America. The discussions with Embraer focused on enhancing Nigeria’s aviation sector through access to modern aircraft, affordable leasing options, and financing for local airline operators.