Brazilian President Lula Welcomes Tinubu In Brasília To Bolster Nigeria-Brazil Relations.
On Monday, 25 August 2025, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warmly received Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, marking the start of a significant state visit aimed at deepening ties between Nigeria and Brazil. The Nigerian leader was honoured with a ceremonial military parade, featuring a meticulously drilled guard of honour and a 21-gun salute, underscoring the importance of the diplomatic engagement between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s leading nation.
President Tinubu, arriving from Los Angeles after attending the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, was greeted at Brasília International Airport by senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was also present to welcome him. Later, at his hotel, Tinubu was joined by Nigerian ministers, heads of government agencies, and private sector leaders, setting the stage for a packed schedule of bilateral engagements.
The official ceremony at the Planalto Palace saw Presidents Lula and Tinubu exchange pleasantries, pose for photographs, and introduce their respective delegations, which included key ministers from both nations. Following the formalities, the leaders held a private meeting, followed by expanded bilateral talks focused on strengthening cooperation in agriculture, energy, trade, and culture. A landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement was signed, with Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, formalising the deal to establish direct air links between the two countries, boosting tourism and business opportunities.
In a statement shared on his official X account, President Tinubu described the visit as a “pivotal moment” for Nigeria-Brazil relations, expressing eagerness to collaborate with President Lula to foster shared prosperity across the Atlantic. Lula, in turn, highlighted Nigeria’s role as one of Brazil’s key partners in Africa, noting the deep historical and cultural ties that have bound the two nations for over six decades. He referenced Brazil’s participation in Nigeria’s independence celebrations in 1960 and the establishment of Nigeria’s embassy in Brazil in 1966, underscoring the longstanding relationship.
The visit builds on recent high-level engagements, including Tinubu’s attendance at the G20 and BRICS Summits in Brazil in 2024, and Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin’s trip to Abuja in June 2025 for the Strategic Dialogue Mechanism. The leaders also discussed Nigeria’s ongoing reform agenda, with Tinubu highlighting investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy, and fertilizer production, and citing Brazil’s Embrapa as a model for agricultural innovation. A $2.5 billion JBS investment signed during the 2024 G20 Summit and the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Programme, aimed at supplying tractors and farm equipment, were noted as key initiatives to enhance Nigeria’s food security.
President Lula reiterated his invitation for Tinubu to attend COP30 in Belém, emphasizing Brazil’s commitment to a relationship of “solidarity, fraternity, and equality” with Nigeria, rooted in shared history and mutual growth. The visit, which includes Tinubu’s participation in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum and meetings with Brazil’s Senate, Chamber of Deputies, and Supreme Federal Court, signals a renewed push to elevate bilateral trade and investment, which had declined in recent years despite Nigeria’s historical role as Brazil’s largest commercial partner in Africa.
The warm reception and productive discussions have been widely celebrated, with photos and videos of the vibrant ceremony circulating online, reflecting Brazil’s intent to strengthen ties with Nigeria. As both nations navigate global challenges, this state visit marks a significant step towards a robust partnership, fostering economic growth, cultural exchange, and South-South cooperation.
