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The Federal Government has concluded plans to sign a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil that will pave the way for direct flights between both countries.
Special Adviser on Foreign Direct Investments to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Obafemi Bajomo, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.
He revealed that the final documents were ready and would be exchanged during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day state visit to Brasília at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bajomo explained that the BASA would allow Nigerian carriers such as Air Peace and Caverton to operate direct routes across the South Atlantic, with expectations of four to five weekly direct flights.
“At the heart of this visit lies a long-anticipated breakthrough, the signing of BASA, a milestone that promises to redefine air connectivity, trade, and cultural exchange between the two largest economies in Africa and South America,” Bajomo said.
He noted that the journey towards the agreement began in May 2025 when Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, led a Nigerian delegation to Brasília for talks with Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, which produced a technical working group that fast-tracked the deal.
According to him, the BASA would reduce travel time, cut logistics costs, and open new trade corridors, particularly for agricultural products, manufactured goods, and services.
“For Nigerian exporters, Brazilian markets will become more accessible than ever before. With deep-rooted Yoruba heritage woven into Brazil’s history, this agreement reactivates centuries-old cultural bonds, opening opportunities for tourism, festivals, and people-to-people exchanges,” he added.
Bajomo further revealed that both countries also mapped out technical cooperation, including pilot training and airport infrastructure upgrades, to strengthen Nigeria’s global aviation position.
He stressed that all statutory and legal clearances had been secured.
“Today, that vision stands on the cusp of reality, with all statutory processes and ministerial vetting, legal clearance by the Federal Ministry of Justice, and Federal Executive Council approval, already completed,” Bajomo said.
Quoting Minister Keyamo, Bajomo said the deal goes beyond aviation to cement cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
“Keyamo has described Nigeria and Brazil as twins separated at birth, now reunited, which signals the cultural and economic depth of the relationship,” he said.
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