Nigeria and Brazil are poised to sign Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) aimed at launching long-awaited direct flights between the both countries.
Owing to this, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo, held bilateral talks with the Minister of Ports and Airports of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Silvio Costa Filho.
The meeting took place at the Brazilian Ministry’s headquarters in Brasília and was marked by a shared commitment to finalise the stalled BASA process.
Both Ministers jointly announced the immediate formation of a technical working group.
According to a statement, the team would work to draft and harmonise the bilateral agreement in preparation for its official signing in the coming weeks.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications, to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, the initiative marks a strong effort to boost diplomatic relations and enhance connectivity between Africa and South America.
During their engagement, the Ministers emphasised the cultural and historical links shared between Nigeria and Brazil. They also agreed on the need to establish a direct air corridor between the two regions to unlock untapped opportunities.
The development was viewed as a significant milestone and was expected to pave the way for direct Nigeria-Brazil flights, which would facilitate tourism, boost trade, and promote people-to-people exchanges.
Addressing his counterpart via an interpreter, the Nigerian Minister described the proposal as mutually beneficial. ‘This is going to be a symbiotic relationship — beneficial to you and beneficial to us’, Keyamo stated.
‘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 also highlighted shared heritage as a binding factor.
‘Nigeria and Brazil share a common history. There is a particular tribe in Nigeria — the Yoruba — who live here in Brazil and still speak the same language’, he said. ‘We are like twins separated at birth and now reunited’.
The sentiment was warmly received, culminating in a symbolic knuckle exchange between both Ministers — a spontaneous gesture interpreted as an informal confirmation of intent.
In addition to the air link, the Ministers expressed interest in broader aviation sector collaboration. Their discussion covered technical training, airport infrastructure, aerospace development, and strategic investments.
The forthcoming agreement promises to transform connectivity across the Atlantic, setting a new benchmark for intercontinental cooperation. While timelines were not disclosed, officials on both sides remain optimistic that the pact will be finalised promptly.
