In a statement on Saturday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, said he spoke in a bilateral meeting held at the Copacabana Forte with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Tinubu also told Silva that the economic reforms Nigeria is undergoing under his administration will boost the country’s global competitiveness, particularly in the agriculture sector.

According to the president, bureaucracy contributes to delays in realising the agricultural sector’s potential.

However, he assured that all bottlenecks hindering the realisation of the agricultural sector’s potential, including livestock production, will be removed to enable food sovereignty and export.

“The President informed the Brazilian leader and delegation that Nigeria was already undergoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already has a competitive advantage,” the statement said.

“President Tinubu stated that all technicalities in agreements between the two countries will be streamlined and fast-tracked in trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, mining, and natural resources exploration.

“The President stated that Brazil’s research and development services had been exemplary for most countries, with the country being one of the highest producers of food and agricultural products.

“On livestock farming, President Tinubu highlighted the efforts of his administration to boost investments in poultry, cattle rearing, and fisheries, adding that the blue economy also holds potential for long-term partnerships between Nigeria and Brazil.

“He said Nigeria was ready for a strong partnership and immediate action to stimulate food production.

“The President said the subnationals have a pivotal role in food and animal production in Nigeria by complementing the federal government’s efforts to use agriculture as a significant source of employment and resource mobilisation.”

On May 7, to finalise a direct flight agreement, eight months after talks relating to a bilateral air service agreement (BASA) commenced.

Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the minister, had said the BASA had long been stalled by bureaucratic bottlenecks.

On his part, Silva assured that all agreements with Nigeria would be regularised, and the memorandum of understanding (MOUs) would be updated and signed without delay during Tinubu’s next visit.

Silva noted that the lingering bureaucracy between the two countries must be removed to achieve quick results, adding that Brazil’s research and development institutions will collaborate with Nigeria to enhance livestock farming.

Also speaking, Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, said Tinubu had consistently insisted on food security for Nigeria, and the mandate would be actualised through local and global partnerships.

Kyari noted that Nigeria already had a competitive advantage in fertiliser production that could easily be enhanced.

In his remarks, Idi Maiha, minister of livestock development, highlighted three areas of partnership with Brazil, including health and disease management, sanitary services, and research into genetic materials and new breeds.

Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, said the state governments would support the federal government’s agricultural revamp framework.

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue state; Mohammed Umar Bago, governor of Niger state; Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta state; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, attended the bilateral meeting.

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, and Mohammed Mohammed, director general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), were also in attendance.