President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brasília, Brazil, for an official state visit aimed at deepening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and trade relations with the South American nation.
The visit was announced in a press statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Tinubu, who flew in from Los Angeles, United States, was welcomed at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian 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 part of the reception team.
Later, other ministers, heads of government agencies, and private sector delegates joined in welcoming the President at his hotel, ahead of a busy schedule of meetings and bilateral engagements.
High-Level Meetings and MoUs
The official welcoming ceremony with full military honours is scheduled to take place at the Planalto Palace, Brazil’s seat of government. There, President Tinubu will hold a private meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, followed by extended bilateral talks involving both countries’ senior officials.
During the visit, the two leaders are expected to witness the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as defence, trade, energy, tourism, agriculture, and education. Both presidents will also address a joint press conference afterwards.
President Tinubu will also meet with the heads of Brazil’s Senate, Chamber of Deputies, and Supreme Federal Court, underlining the importance of strengthening cooperation across political and judicial institutions.
Business and Strategic Partnerships
As part of his trip, Tinubu will participate in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, where government officials and private sector leaders from both countries will explore new investment opportunities.
Brazil has become a key partner in Nigeria’s food security and agricultural development efforts. A $2.5 billion investment by Brazilian agribusiness giant JBS was signed during the 2024 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil, with the goal of boosting local food production, creating jobs for Nigerian youth, and strengthening sustainable supply chains.
Another major project is the Green Imperative Programme (GIP), a $1.1 billion agricultural mechanisation initiative launched in 2019. The programme is expected to deliver 10,000 tractors and 50,000 units of farm equipment for assembly in Nigeria, helping farmers modernize agricultural practices.
Nigeria-Brazil Relations: A Longstanding Partnership
Nigeria and Brazil have shared cordial relations since the 1960s. Brazil was the only Latin American country to attend Nigeria’s independence celebrations in 1960, and Nigeria opened its embassy in Brazil in 1966.
In 2013, both countries signed an MoU establishing the Mechanism for Strategic Dialogue, which is co-chaired by the Vice Presidents of Nigeria and Brazil. The second session of this dialogue took place in Abuja in June 2025, resulting in the signing of seven MoUs, including agreements on defence cooperation, tourism, livestock development, counter-narcotics, and renewable energy.
High-level engagements have continued under President Tinubu’s leadership. In July 2025, Tinubu attended the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, while in November 2024 he joined the G20 Summit in Brazil at President Lula’s invitation. Similarly, top Brazilian officials, including Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, visited Abuja earlier this year for the Strategic Dialogue meeting.
Looking Ahead
President Tinubu’s current visit to Brazil is expected to solidify Nigeria’s role as a major partner in Africa-Latin America relations, with agreements likely to boost trade, agriculture, energy, and youth employment.
By focusing on long-term partnerships and strategic projects, Nigeria hopes to not only strengthen diplomatic ties with Brazil but also open new opportunities for economic growth and development at home.
