Tinubu, Lula da Silva forge stronger bilateral ties at Addis Ababa summit
In a bid to bolster bilateral relations and harness mutual opportunities for growth and development, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a landmark engagement on Sunday.
The high-stakes summit saw both leaders engage in fruitful discussions aimed at charting a course for comprehensive collaboration across various sectors.
President Tinubu, in his address, underscored Nigeria’s burgeoning economic potential and regional influence, signaling a resolute commitment to advancing the nation’s prosperity agenda. Amidst short-term reform pains, Tinubu’s administration is doubling down on efforts to dismantle barriers to business and stimulate sustainable economic growth. Emphasising investments in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering dedication to ensuring the welfare of all Nigerian citizens and fostering long-term prosperity.
Echoing Tinubu’s sentiments, President Lula da Silva hailed the historic ties between Nigeria and Brazil, citing a shared legacy of economic cooperation and cultural exchange. Expressing regret over the decline in trade volume between the two nations—from over $10 billion to a mere $1.6 billion—Lula da Silva stated the imperative of revitalizing bilateral relations across multiple fronts. The Brazilian leader’s impassioned plea for strengthened ties resonated with a sense of urgency, underscored by his determination to leave a lasting legacy of collaboration and progress.
Addressing key areas of mutual interest, including aviation, agriculture, and industrial relations, Lula da Silva outlined a comprehensive vision for deepening engagement between Nigeria and Brazil. From direct air links between Lagos and Sao Paulo to collaborative ventures in aviation manufacturing, the Brazilian leader advocated for a multifaceted approach to enhancing bilateral cooperation. With only three years remaining in his term, Lula da Silva expressed a sense of urgency in cementing strategic partnerships with Nigeria, urging swift action from both governments to realize their shared aspirations.
In response, President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering closer ties with Brazil, viewing it as a pivotal opportunity to transform the futures of millions of citizens in both nations. With a firm resolve to streamline bureaucratic impediments to business and combat corruption at all levels, Tinubu affirmed his administration’s readiness to embrace progressive reforms mirroring Brazil’s exemplary achievements in social security provision and infrastructure development.
Identifying solid mineral exploration, agriculture, education, and healthcare as priority areas for collaboration, Tinubu underscored the need for direct air links between Nigeria and Brazil—a symbolic gesture of the renewed partnership between the two nations. Proposing the formation of joint committees comprising cabinet members from both countries, Tinubu emphasised the urgency of formulating a comprehensive action plan to drive bilateral cooperation forward.
In a landmark decision, both leaders agreed to explore the modalities for a state visit to Brazil by President Tinubu, following an invitation extended by President Lula da Silva—a gesture indicative of the growing warmth and camaraderie between Nigeria and Brazil. As the largest democracies in Africa and South America, respectively, Nigeria and Brazil stand poised to harness their collective potential for the benefit of their citizens and the wider global community.
With optimism abound and momentum building, the Addis Ababa summit heralds a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Brazil, characterized by mutual respect, shared aspirations, and a shared commitment to forging a brighter future for generations to come.
