The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federative Republic of Brazil have resuscitated the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) arrangement, which has stalled over the years between the two countries.
The two countries have immediately set up a technical working group tasked with drafting and harmonising the BASA for signature within the coming weeks.
The revival of this agreement, which was stalled over the years through bureaucratic bottlenecks between the two countries, would further strengthen the bilateral relations and foster connectivity between Africa and South America, a statement by Mr. Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development said on Wednesday.
According to the statement, this renewed BASA arrangement would lead to direct flight services between the two countries.
Keyamo had met with Mr. Silvio Costa Filho, the Minister of Ports and Airports of the Federative Republic of Brazil, at the ministry’s headquarters in Brasília to revive the deal.
The statement hinted that the high-level meeting marked a renewed commitment by both countries to finalise the BASA arrangement.
Both ministers recalled the deep historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil and agreed on the urgent need to operationalise a direct air link between the two nations.
The statement added: “This development is seen as a precursor to the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil — a major milestone that will open up new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.”
In his comment, Keyamo speaking through an interpreter during the bilateral engagement, emphasised the mutual benefits of the initiative.
He said: “This is going to be a symbiotic relationship — beneficial to you and beneficial to us. Nigeria is the largest country in Africa and Brazil is one of the biggest in South America. No matter how we want to look at it, this air-link must commence without delay.
“Nigeria and Brazil share a common history. We are like brothers and sisters. There is a particular tribe in Nigeria — the Yoruba — who live here in Brazil and still speak the same language. We are like twins separated at birth and now reunited.”
Beyond air connectivity, both ministers expressed keen interest in exploring additional areas of cooperation in aviation and aerospace development, including knowledge exchange, technical training, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities.