Nigeria and Brazil Sign BASA Agreement for Direct Flights

N Nigeria and Brazil have signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), creating a framework for direct flights between both countries.

The agreement was formalized during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil and signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Sílvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both leaders.

According to a statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, the BASA deal represents a strategic milestone that aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating an enabling environment for commerce and mobility.

Government officials explained that the agreement is expected to strengthen economic integration, facilitate cultural exchanges, and deepen diplomatic cooperation between the two nations. Both leaders lauded the partnership, noting that beyond aviation, it would open opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, and broader economic collaboration.

The direct flights are expected to significantly reduce air travel time between Nigeria and Brazil, while also boosting trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections.

By formalizing this BASA agreement, Nigeria and Brazil—two of the largest economies in Africa and South America respectively—have taken an important step in strengthening their bilateral relations.