Nigeria and Brazil have formalized a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), establishing the first direct air link between the two nations. The accord was signed during the official state visit of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brazil on August 25, 2025. This landmark agreement is expected to revolutionize travel, trade, and cultural exchange, significantly reducing journey times and fostering economic integration.
The agreement, witnessed by President Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, designates Air Peace, Nigeria's leading airline, to operate direct flights connecting Lagos with São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The current travel time, which involves transit through European hubs and exceeds 24 hours, will be cut to an estimated seven hours. Air Peace plans to commence operations with three weekly flights, with commercial services anticipated to begin by late November or early December 2025, with potential for increased frequency as demand grows.
This direct air corridor holds substantial implications for both Africa's most populous nation and South America's largest economy. It is poised to unlock significant opportunities for economic integration, enhancing mobility for businesses and professionals and fostering cross-border collaborations in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and aviation. The increased ease of travel is also anticipated to stimulate tourism, attract foreign investment, and create a more dynamic environment for joint ventures and bilateral trade.
Complementing the aviation pact, the visit also saw the signing of crucial agreements in agriculture, science, and technology. A cornerstone of this broader cooperation is the Green Imperative Partnership, a $1.1 billion initiative aimed at revitalizing agricultural mechanization and food security in Nigeria. This program will facilitate the delivery of 10,000 tractors and 50,000 pieces of farm equipment, with assembly planned in Nigeria, projected to create approximately 100,000 direct jobs and over five million indirect jobs.
Beyond these tangible benefits, the agreement resonates with the deep historical and cultural ties that bind Nigeria and Brazil. President Lula's support for Nigeria's role in global forums and his advocacy for African representation in a reformed UN Security Council underscore a shared vision for a more equitable and multipolar world order. The accord signifies a renewed commitment to deepening South-South cooperation and fostering mutual growth across the Atlantic.