President Bola Tinubu and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday to discuss bolstering bilateral ties across various sectors.Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced the outcomes of the meeting on Sunday.
During the meeting, President Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s economic potential and ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing business environments, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.
President Tinubu emphasised his administration’s commitment to combating corruption and investing in essential areas to ensure the welfare of Nigerian citizens and foster sustainable economic growth.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s vast resources, President Lula da Silva expressed determination to revive the once-thriving bilateral trade relationship between the two nations, which had diminished from over $10 billion to $1.6 billion.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, President Lula da Silva emphasised the need for stronger academic, cultural, commercial, agricultural, and industrial ties between Nigeria and Brazil. He also urged the establishment of direct air links and collaboration in aviation to facilitate trade and investment.
President Tinubu welcomed the prospect of deepening cooperation with Brazil, emphasising the potential for mutual benefit and progress.
He pledged to address bureaucratic barriers and corruption while expressing admiration for Brazil’s achievements in social security, infrastructure, and reforms.
Identifying areas of immediate focus such as solid mineral exploration, agriculture, education, and healthcare, President Tinubu affirmed his commitment to working closely with Brazil to enhance bilateral relations.
Both leaders agreed to expedite plans for a state visit to Brazil by President Tinubu, reflecting their shared commitment to strengthening ties between Africa’s largest economy and South America’s largest democracy.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to establish joint committees comprising cabinet members from both countries to develop actionable plans for collaboration across various sectors.
The proposed state visit to Brazil by President Tinubu signifies a significant step towards revitalizing and expanding the partnership between Nigeria and Brazil, offering prospects for enhanced economic cooperation and shared prosperity.
