Nigeria and Brazil have officially established a new framework for direct air connectivity through the signing of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). This landmark agreement, signed by Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil's Minister of Transport (also referred to as Minister of Ports and Airports), Silvio Costa Filho, paves the way for direct flights between the two nations. The signing occurred in Brasília, in the presence of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, signifying a strategic milestone in bilateral relations.

The agreement is expected to unlock fresh opportunities across various sectors, including trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. It aims to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate cultural ties, and enhance diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser, Media to the Nigerian Minister, highlighted the agreement as a testament to President Tinubu's administration's commitment to expanding Nigeria's global partnerships and creating an enabling environment for commerce and mobility. Brazilian President Lula da Silva reportedly lauded the partnership, expressing Brazil's readiness to deepen ties with Nigeria in multiple spheres, including aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

During President Tinubu's visit to Brazil, he led a high-level delegation that included senior cabinet members such as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Onoh Ojukwu; and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, alongside Minister Keyamo. A key highlight of this visit was the formalisation of the BASA through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), described as a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two largest economies on their respective continents.

Following the agreement, Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, has secured approval to commence direct passenger flights between Lagos, Nigeria, and São Paulo, Brazil. Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace, confirmed this development, describing the Lagos-São Paulo route as