Photo File : President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília, Brazil on Monday. | Credit: Bayo Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília on Monday to begin a state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

He was received at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian government officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte and Brazil’s ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was also on hand to welcome the president, who flew in from Los Angeles, United States.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted the significance of the visit. He said, “The official welcome ceremony, with full military honours, will take place on Monday at the Planalto Palace. The leaders will witness the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press conference afterwards.”

Other members of the Nigerian delegation—including ministers, heads of government agencies, and private sector leaders—later joined Tinubu at his hotel. They are scheduled to participate in bilateral talks and MoU signings.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, Tinubu will hold a private meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, followed by expanded bilateral meetings with senior officials from both governments.

The visit marks another step in the growing relations between Nigeria and Brazil since Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023. The relationship, which dates back to the early 1960s, has recently focused on agriculture and defence, with agreements such as a defence cooperation pact and a strategic dialogue mechanism.

Tinubu’s visit is also expected to build on initiatives like the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Programme (GIP) and the $2.5 billion JBS investment, both of which aim to enhance Nigeria’s food security and create jobs.

The president’s engagements in Brazil follow his participation in recent global forums, including the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in July 2025 and the G20 Summit in November 2024, both hosted in Brazil.