A Brazilian delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, has arrived in Abuja for high-level discussions aimed at deepening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Brazil. The visit also served as an opportunity to formally deliver an invitation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) to President Bola Tinubu for an official visit to Brazil.
During the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, highlighted the long-standing ties between the two nations, noting that Brazil was the only Latin American country to attend Nigeria’s independence celebration in 1960. He emphasized the shared similarities between Nigeria and Brazil in terms of size, economy, population, and culture.
“This visit is a natural progression of our partnership,” Tuggar said, recalling President Tinubu’s participation in the G20 summit in Brazil last year, where he engaged in discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation.
In response, Vieira reflected on his previous engagements with Nigerian officials, including meetings in Dubai in 2023 and in Addis Ababa in 2024. He commended Nigeria’s contributions to global discussions at the G20 summit and reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa’s largest economy.
The discussions covered potential collaborations in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education, and cultural exchange. Both sides also explored opportunities for new trade and investment agreements.
Vieira expressed optimism about fostering deeper strategic cooperation between Brazil and Nigeria, acknowledging the strong historical and cultural connections between the two nations.
With the invitation extended to President Tinubu, both countries look forward to furthering diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation in the near future.