Nigeria, Brazil begin direct flights following BASA signing

Nigeria and Brazil are now set for direct flight services following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the two countries on Monday, August 25, 2025 formalizing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil.

The signing is a major highlight of the ongoing visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brazil, according to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Olorogun Festus Keyamo.

The BASA establishes a new framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, opening fresh avenues for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. It is expected to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate cultural ties, and enhance diplomatic cooperation between both nations.

This agreement is a strategic milestone that underscores President Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating enabling environments for commerce and mobility.

The Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in his remarks, lauded the partnership, emphasizing Brazil’s readiness to deepen ties with Nigeria in multiple spheres, including aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.