Local News
Tinubu Arrives in Brazil for State Visit to Hold Talks with President Lula
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília, Brazil, on Monday to begin a state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations between Nigeria and Brazil.
Tinubu, who flew in from Los Angeles, United States, was welcomed at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian government officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was also present at the reception.
Following his arrival, Tinubu was received at his hotel by other ministers, heads of key government agencies, and private sector representatives who will participate in a series of bilateral talks and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The official welcoming ceremony, which will feature full military honors, is scheduled to take place at the Planalto Palace. President Tinubu will hold a private meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, followed by expanded bilateral discussions involving senior officials from both countries. The two leaders are expected to witness the signing of multiple MoUs before addressing a joint press conference.
During the visit, Tinubu will meet with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court. He will also participate in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, where discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment, and economic partnerships.
Nigeria and Brazil share a longstanding history of diplomatic relations dating back to the early 1960s, with Brazil being the only Latin American country to participate in Nigeria’s independence celebrations in 1960. Over the years, both nations have deepened cooperation in agriculture, energy, trade, defense, education, and technology.
This visit comes after several high-level engagements between both countries in recent years, including Nigeria’s participation in the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025 and the G20 Summit in November 2024. Additionally, Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and his wife visited Abuja in June 2025 for the Second Session of the Mechanism for Strategic Dialogue, which resulted in the signing of seven MoUs across key sectors.
Brazil remains a critical partner in Nigeria’s food security initiatives. In 2024, Nigeria secured a $2.5 billion JBS investment during the G20 Summit to boost food production and create jobs. Similarly, the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Programme, launched in 2019, aims to supply 10,000 tractors and 50,000 units of farm equipment for local assembly, further driving agricultural mechanization.