Tinubu concludes state visit to Brazil, heads back to Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has wrapped up his official state visit to Brazil, departing Brasília on Wednesday afternoon for Abuja.

The trip, which centered on strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Brazil, explored cooperation in key sectors, including trade, aviation, and economic development.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the presidential jet took off from Brasília International Airport Air Force Base at exactly 12:57 p.m. local time.

At the airport to bid farewell to the Nigerian leader were senior Brazilian officials, including Amb. Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Amb. Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria.

‎The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other government officials were also on ground.

There was also a guard of honor led by Col Cel Nicolas at the brief departure ceremony.

‎President Tinubu arrived in Brasília in the early hours of Monday, August 25, for the strategic diplomatic engagement.

‎Upon arrival, he was received with full military honours and immediately met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senior Brazilian officials.

‎The two leaders held private discussions and oversaw the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding.

‎The MoUs spanned aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture—key sectors in Nigeria’s development agenda.

‎President Tinubu also met with the Director-General of Brazil’s Securities and Exchange Commission and the Board of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

‎He praised the Nigerian market’s performance, calling it a clear sign of investor confidence in his administration’s reforms.

‎On the sidelines, he held additional meetings aimed at deepening Nigeria-Brazil cooperation in trade, education, and innovation.

‎The president also met with members of the Nigerian diaspora in Brazil, urging them to contribute actively to nation-building.