Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has commenced discussions with the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, to activate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between both countries and initiate direct flights between the two countries..
The statement by the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, said that the strategic meeting followed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2018 to boost air connectivity and economic cooperation.
According to the statement, the Nigerian minister and the ambassador emphasised the need for new BASA arrangements to reflect current realities in the aviation world.
“This meeting stems from the mutual interests shared by President Bola Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a meeting in Addis Ababa in February 2024, where they agreed to reinitiate the BASA arrangements, recognising the cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil,” Moshood said.
Speaking on the importance of direct flights, the ambassador highlighted the potential for immediate commencement of flight services, noting that both nations could facilitate four to five flights per week.
“The introduction of direct flights will spark significant economic growth between our countries,” he said.
The statement said that the aviation minister, while expressing appreciation for the ambassador’s visit, expressed optimism about the potential economic impact of the BASA.
“There are numerous similarities between Nigeria and Brazil and the activation of these flights will not only enhance trade, but also strengthen cultural and social exchanges,” the minister said.
GIK/APA