Tinubu courts Brazil on jobs, agriculture, aviation growth

Nigeria and Brazil are set to sign major agreements in aviation, agriculture, and other sectors during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-day state visit to Brazil.

The deals are expected to restart direct flights between Lagos and Rio de Janeiro through Brazilian airline Varig Air and Nigerian carriers Air Peace and Caverton.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will sign on behalf of the country.

In agriculture, Brazil is investing in Nigeria’s livestock industry, which President Tinubu has made a priority by creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.

Brazil will also provide tractors and farm equipment to help Nigerian farmers increase food production.

The Green Imperative Partnership, worth $1.1 billion, will supply 10,000 tractors and 50,000 machines to be assembled in Nigeria.

This initiative is expected to create about 100,000 direct jobs and more than five million indirect jobs while boosting food security.

This visit marks Tinubu’s third trip to Brazil in the past year, following his attendance at the G-20 Summit in November 2024 and the BRICS Summit in July 2025.

In June, Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin also visited Nigeria and signed agreements with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Tinubu arrived in Brazil after participating in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Japan.

According to Presidential Adviser Sunday Dare, Nigeria and Brazil share common goals in food security, climate change, global trade, and youth employment. Brazil’s advanced farming technology and Nigeria’s large arable land make a strong combination, while both countries face similar challenges in renewable energy and economic growth.

Trade between the two nations has dropped from $9 billion a decade ago to less than $2 billion in 2024.

Brazil mostly exports machinery and poultry to Nigeria, while Nigeria sends oil, cocoa, urea, and sesame to Brazil.

However, non-oil exports from Nigeria are growing, with Brazil being the biggest destination in October 2024, accounting for more than 20 percent of Nigeria’s exports that month.

Both countries aim to push trade back above $2 billion soon, with a target of $3.5 billion by 2030. Brazilian companies, including Petrobras in oil and gas and Embraer in aviation, are considering investments in Nigeria.

The expected air travel agreement will also boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.