President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria recently embarked on a significant state visit to Brazil, where he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace in Brasília.
This was disclosed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, on her verifiable Facebook account.
She said the meeting marked a crucial step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, with a focus on deepening cooperation in strategic sectors.
According to Amb. Ojukwu, “Tinubu and Lula discussed ways to enhance collaboration in agriculture, a sector where Brazil has shown consistent commitment to Nigeria’s transformation agenda.
“A notable example is the $2.5 billion investment deal signed in 2024 between Nigeria and Brazilian agribusiness giant JBS to develop sustainable supply chains and boost food production”, she added..
She further stated that the two leaders explored opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, including the potential return of Brazil’s state-run oil giant, Petrobras, to Nigeria.
Her words: “Tinubu hailed Petrobras’ imminent return to Nigeria after five years, signaling renewed economic cooperation.
“Tinubu and Lula witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, and cooperation across strategic sectors.
“The agreements aim to translate the long-standing friendship between Nigeria and Brazil into concrete results that benefit both nations.
“The leaders also discussed ways to promote cultural exchange between the two countries, recognizing the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in fostering stronger bilateral relations.
“Tinubu described the meeting as a renewal of the historic relationship between Nigeria and Brazil, expressing his determination to deepen collaboration in key sectors.
“The two governments signed several MoUs, including agreements on defence cooperation, energy, livestock development, and audiovisual co-production.
“Tinubu participated in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, where private sector leaders from both countries discussed investment opportunities and ways to strengthen economic ties.
“The visit reinforces Tinubu’s foreign policy strategy of leveraging global alliances to drive investment, economic growth, and sustainable development in Nigeria.”, she added.
She further said that the meeting signals Nigeria’s intent to diversify diplomatic and economic partnerships beyond traditional Western allies, exploring new opportunities with emerging economies like Brazil.
An exhilarating moment with Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was at the Itamaraty Palace after the State Banquet.
Popularly known as as Lula, the Brazilian president was a trade unionist and former metalworker who has served as the 39th President of Brazil since 2023.
He ran for president in 1989 but lost in the second round. He went on to also lose two other presidential elections, both in 1994 and then in 1998.
He finally became president in 2002 in a runoff.
In 2006, he was successfully re-elected in the second round.
A member of the Workers Party Lula was also the 35th president from 2003 to 2011.
I had the privilege of informing him that we watched with bated breath that fateful day on 7 October 2002 as the Brazilian presidential election results were announced on CNN and that I was personally responsible for coining the phrase ‘Lucky like Lula’ which became a popular catchphrase over that period.
It is hardly surprising that he has such a warm and friendly relationship with President Tinubu.
Both men share a similar trajectory to their life story. A study in struggle, doggedness, ruggedness, Perseverance.
This is a man who has been through the storm.
He, hasn’t always been a charmed life, but it is an inspirational lesson on endurance.
Born into poverty in Pernambuco, Lula quit school after second grade to work, and did not learn to read until he was ten years old.
He experienced famine, started working very young in a metal factory to survive, losing his finger in a machinery accident, while working as a press operator in the factory.
Widowed twice, jailed on politically motivated charges, and fighting for worker’s rights for a major part of his life, it is no wonder that he has made it a mission to work towards enthroning a fairer world order.
“We give a big thumbs up to this partnership with Nigeria, and the promise of better things to come”, said thebformer beauty queen
