Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has secured approval to operate direct flights from Lagos to São Paulo, Brazil, following a landmark aviation agreement sealed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to Brasília. The deal was formalized after a bilateral meeting between President Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at the Palácio do Planalto, where both leaders described the new route as a turning point in relations between the two nations.
The two-hour meeting concluded with the signing of multiple agreements spanning aviation, diplomacy, science, technology, and agriculture. Nigeria’s aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, signed the bilateral air services agreement alongside Brazil’s minister of ports and airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, paving the way for Air Peace to establish a direct Lagos–São Paulo connection. Analysts say the development will not only enhance passenger travel but also stimulate cargo trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s biggest market.
In addition to the aviation deal, other key agreements were signed to deepen cooperation. Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, and Brazil’s foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, formalized a pact on diplomatic training and political consultations. In the field of science and technology, Nigeria’s innovation minister, Geoffrey Nnaji, joined Brazil’s science minister, Luciana Santos, in endorsing collaboration on biotechnology, space exploration, digital transformation, and bioeconomy projects. Agriculture and investment ties also received a boost as Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture chief, Ayo Sotinrin, partnered with the president of Brazil’s development bank, Aluísio Mercadante, on initiatives in agricultural financing and investment opportunities.
President Tinubu, who arrived in Brasília on August 25 after an official trip to Los Angeles, said the agreements underscored Nigeria’s readiness to build meaningful international partnerships that deliver concrete benefits for its people. For Air Peace, the Lagos–São Paulo service marks its first intercontinental expansion into South America, a move expected to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation presence on the global stage. Aviation experts believe the new route could become a strategic bridge connecting Africa and Latin America, opening new opportunities for business, tourism, and diaspora communities across both regions.