Nigeria and Brazil have established a joint technical working group to finalise the long-awaited direct flight agreement between the two countries.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting between Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Silvio Costa Filho, Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, held at the ministry’s headquarters in Brasília, the capital of Brazil.
According to a statement on Wednesday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Nigerian minister, the meeting marked a renewed commitment to concluding the bilateral air service agreement (BASA) that had previously been stalled by bureaucratic challenges.
“Both ministers recalled the deep historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil and agreed on the urgent need to operationalise a direct air link between the two nations,” the statement read.
“To this end, the ministers jointly announced the immediate constitution of a technical working group tasked with drafting and harmonising the BASA for signature within the coming weeks.
“This development is seen as a precursor to the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, a major milestone that will open up new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.”
During the meeting, Keyamo stressed the importance of the initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen both economic and cultural connections.
“Nigeria is the largest country in Africa, and Brazil is one of the biggest in South America. No matter how we want to look at it, this air-link must commence without delay,” Keyamo said.
He further emphasised the historical bonds between the two countries, noting, “Nigeria and Brazil share a common history. We are like brothers and sisters.
There is a particular tribe in Nigeria, the Yoruba, who live here in Brazil and still speak the same language. We are like twins separated at birth and now reunited.”
Moshood also revealed that the ministers expressed interest in extending their cooperation beyond air connectivity.
They discussed potential collaborations in areas such as knowledge sharing, technical training, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sectors.
The meeting forms part of Keyamo’s ongoing working visit to Brazil, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to establish a direct air corridor between Nigeria and South America.
As part of his visit, the Nigerian minister also met with top executives at Embraer, a leading global aircraft manufacturer, at its headquarters in São José dos Campos, São Paulo.
Discussions centred on enhancing Nigeria’s aviation sector by facilitating access to modern aircraft, offering affordable leasing options, and securing financing for local airline operators.
Boluwatife Enome
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