Air Peace, Nigeria’s national carrier, is set to launch direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo, Brazil.

This follows an agreement reached between President Bola Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the Nigerian leader’s state visit to Brazil.

Lula announced the agreement at a joint news conference with Tinubu, according to a Tuesday statement by Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

“Increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies,” he said.

“We have approved the launch of a direct flight, to be operated by Nigeria’s largest airline company, Air Peace, between Lagos and São Paulo.”

The development came after a two-hour bilateral meeting at Brasília’s Palácio do Planalto, where the leaders witnessed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Onanuga stated that Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Silvio Costa Filhos, Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, signed a bilateral air services agreement aimed at “boosting trade and people-to-people ties.”

He added that Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and her Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, signed an agreement on diplomatic training cooperation.

“Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos, signed an MoU on cooperation in biotechnology, bioeconomy, ocean science, innovation ecosystems, energy, space development, digital transformation, and raw materials research,” the statement reads.

“Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin and Brazil’s Minister for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Aluísio Mercadante, signed an MOU for cooperation on trade and investment promotion, harmonising efforts to expand agricultural financing, investment, and joint projects.”