President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have pledged to elevate relations between Nigeria and Brazil to new heights, following the signing of landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Brasília on Monday.
Speaking at a joint press briefing at the Planalto Palace, President Tinubu described the agreements as the beginning of a new era in bilateral ties. He said both nations had allowed “past inactivity” to slow down progress but affirmed that “today we say that is the end of that.”
Highlighting the focus of their discussions, President Tinubu emphasized cooperation in technology transfer, research and development, food sovereignty, and pharmaceuticals. He said Nigeria has the potential to host large-scale production of generic drugs and stressed that Brazil’s technological advancements must be shared with Africa. He added that Nigeria’s youthful and energetic population presents a valuable asset that must be fully utilized.
The Nigerian leader also called for Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil company, to return to Nigeria, citing the country’s vast gas reserves. He noted that his economic reforms, though initially painful, are already yielding positive results by curbing corruption, stabilizing the currency market, and attracting new investments. Tinubu further said Nigeria’s aviation sector, supported by transparent policies and the new Bilateral Air Service Agreement, will serve as a major driver of trade, cultural exchange, and business growth between both regions.
President Tinubu concluded by affirming that Nigeria and Brazil are committed to “grow the economy for the people, by the people, and for the people of the world.”