The federal governments of Nigeria and Brazil have formally established a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), paving the way for direct air connectivity between the two nations. This landmark agreement was signed by Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil's Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho (also referred to as Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Filhos in subsequent reports). The initiative is poised to unlock significant opportunities across various sectors, including trade, tourism, investment, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.

The agreement is expected to foster stronger economic integration, deepen cultural ties, and bolster diplomatic cooperation between the two largest economies in their respective continents. According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser, Media to the Nigerian Aviation Minister, this strategic milestone underscores President Bola Tinubu's administration's steadfast commitment to expanding Nigeria's global partnerships and cultivating environments conducive to commerce and mobility. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enthusiastically endorsed the partnership, expressing Brazil's eagerness to strengthen ties with Nigeria in multiple spheres, beyond just aviation, to include agriculture and infrastructure development.

It is recalled that President Tinubu previously led a high-level delegation to Brazil, which 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; Olorogun Keyamo; and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari. A pivotal moment of this visit was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that solidified the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Nigeria and Brazil, marking a crucial step in reinforcing bilateral relations.

Building on this governmental accord, Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, has secured approval to commence direct passenger flights between Lagos, Nigeria, and São Paulo, Brazil, under the newly established BASA. Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace, confirmed this development, describing the Lagos-São Paulo route as