Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brasília, Brazil, to commence a state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
In a statement by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, the visit marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries, which have a longstanding cordial relationship dating back to the 1960s.
Upon arrival, President Tinubu was received by senior Brazilian government officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was also present at the reception.
The statement revealed that during the state visit, President Tinubu will hold bilateral talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, followed by an expanded meeting with senior officials from both governments. The leaders will witness the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press conference.
President Tinubu will also meet with key Brazilian leaders, including the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court and also participate in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, a platform aimed at promoting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Onanuga noted that the state visit underscores the commitment of both countries to deepen their bilateral relations.
Nigeria and Brazil have been engaging in high-level diplomatic activities, including the recent BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the G20 Summit in Brazil.
The two countries have also been collaborating on key projects, including a $2.5 billion investment in Nigeria’s food security program and a $1.1 billion agricultural mechanization project.
These initiatives aim to boost local production, create job opportunities, and enhance food security in Nigeria, according to the presidential spokesperson, who added that the state visit is expected to further strengthen the ties between Nigeria and Brazil, paving the way for increased cooperation in areas such as trade, defense, energy, and education.
