Nigeria and Brazil have taken a significant step towards strengthening their bilateral relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).
The agreement was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in the presence of Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN, and his Brazilian counterpart.
The BASA is expected to boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil, two of the largest economies in the Global South. According to Festus Keyamo, “This is going to be a symbiotic relationship — beneficial to you and beneficial to us. 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.”
The agreement will enable Nigerian airlines, such as Air Peace and Caverton, to operate direct flights to Brazil, with the potential for four to five weekly flights. Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, highlighted the potential economic benefits, stating that “the introduction of direct flights will spark significant economic growth between our countries.” He also emphasized the need to finalize the Open Skies Agreement to fully enable the proposed flights.
Festus Keyamo noted that Nigeria and Brazil share a common history, saying, “Nigeria and Brazil share a common history. We are like twins separated at birth and now reunited.” The signing of the BASA marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-Brazil relations, with both countries committed to advancing bilateral aviation agreements that promote economic development and connectivity.
The agreement is expected to open up new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations, and strengthen their economic ties. With the BASA in place, Nigeria and Brazil are poised to deepen their relationship and explore new areas of cooperation. The Nigerian aviation sector is likely to benefit significantly from the agreement, with potential increases in passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and revenue generation.