The federal governments of Nigeria and Brazil have officially signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), paving the way for direct flight operations between the two nations. This significant accord was inked by Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil's Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, establishing a new framework for enhanced air connectivity.

This strategic agreement is poised to unlock fresh avenues for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, promising to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate deeper cultural ties, and enhance diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser, Media to the Nigerian Aviation Minister, emphasized that this agreement marks a crucial milestone, underscoring President Bola Tinubu's administration's commitment to expanding Nigeria's global partnerships and cultivating an enabling environment for commerce and mobility.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has lauded the partnership, reiterating Brazil's readiness to strengthen its relationship with Nigeria across various sectors, including aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development. The agreement's formalization was a key highlight of a Nigerian delegation's visit to Brazil, led by President Tinubu and including senior cabinet members such as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

Following this foundational agreement, Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, has secured approval to commence direct passenger flights between Lagos, Nigeria, and São Paulo, Brazil. Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, confirmed this development, describing the Lagos-São Paulo route as 'long overdue' and a substantial boost for Nigeria's aviation sector. Air Peace plans to initiate operations with three weekly flights, with intentions to increase frequency based on demand and operational feasibility.

The inaugural service is tentatively scheduled to begin by late November 2025, marking the first direct air connection between Nigeria and Brazil to be operated by a Nigerian airline. This historic development is expected to significantly reduce travel time and stimulate economic and cultural exchanges, fulfilling the promise of the BASA agreement to strengthen bilateral ties between the two largest economies on their respective continents.