President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja early on Thursday following trips to Japan and Brazil.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga had reported that President Tinubu was en route to Abuja from Brazil following his state visit, which focused on strengthening relations between Nigeria and Brazil.
Onanuga said that the presidential jet took off from Brasília International Airport Air Force Base at 12:57 pm (local time).
The presidential spokesperson said that Brazil’s Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte; and the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete were present at the airport to bid farewell to the President.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other government officials were also at the airport.
A guard of honour, led by Col. Cel Nicolas, was part of the brief departure ceremony, according to the statement.
President Tinubu arrived in Brasília early on Monday, for the strategic diplomatic engagement.
After his arrival, Brazil rolled out the red carpet and accorded the Nigerian leader full military honours at the Palácio do Planalto.
President Tinubu later met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senior Brazilian officials.
Both leaders witnessed the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding, covering aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture — key sectors in Nigeria’s development agenda.
