Tinubu Officially Meets Brazil’s President Lula as State Visit Begins in Brasília
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally begun his state visit to Brazil with a high-profile meeting and exchange of pleasantries with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace in Brasília. The ceremony, attended by senior Brazilian officials, marked the start of an ambitious effort to elevate Nigeria–Brazil relations.Politics NigeriaArise News
Tinubu, who flew in from Los Angeles on Monday, was received with full military honours by notable government officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte (Secretary for Africa and the Middle East) and Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, also joined the reception.Trending NewsArise News
The meeting extended beyond protocol as the two leaders embraced a packed agenda intended to strengthen strategic ties. Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and aviation, signaling readiness to expand commercial and cultural relations.Arise NewsTrending News
Agriculture featured prominently in discussions. Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s urgency to dismantle bureaucratic barriers in pursuit of food sovereignty. He emphasized building strong partnerships in livestock production, fertiliser manufacturing, and mechanised farming. Lula responded positively, committing to expedited signing of outstanding agreements and technical collaborations.Naturenews.africaThe Nation NewspaperArise News
Echoing aspirations to boost trade and connectivity, both leaders advocate for direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo, a move poised to enhance business and tourism links across the Atlantic.Arise NewsThe Nigerian Inquirer
This state visit deepens a long history of diplomatic exchange. Notably, Brazil played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s early post-independence era. More recently, Tinubu’s engagements at the G20 and BRICS Summits in Brazil have helped reset the momentum for proactive economic cooperation.THISDAYLIVEServiços e Informações do BrasilThe Nation Newspaper
Ahead lies a Nigeria–Brazil Business Forum and the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering energy transition, technology, agribusiness, and aviation. These moves underscore the transition from symbolic alignment to tangible partnership, with economic integration, job creation, and knowledge exchange at its core.Trending NewsallAfrica.comArise News
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar summarized the visit’s significance as shifting Nigeria from “dialogue partner” to active economic collaborator, noting Brazil’s outstanding success in mechanised agriculture and infrastructure. He cited the ambition of transforming historical ties into practical, mutually beneficial investments.allAfrica.comTHISDAYLIVE
