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Tag: Brazil

  • Nigeria, Brazil to seal deals in  aviation, livestock, other sectors

    Nigeria, Brazil to seal deals in  aviation, livestock, other sectors

    • Tinubu on two-day visit
    • A South-south synergy will generate investments, millions of jobs

    Between today and tomorrow, Nigeria and Brazil will sign crucial business agreements to create direct flights between the two countries and generate massive livestock investment inflow.

    In other areas of agriculture, the Green Imperative Partnership (GIP), which kicks off after the visit, is to generate not less than 100,000 direct jobs and more than five million indirect jobs.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on a two-day state visit to Brazil on invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to improve on their relationship in trade.

    This is President Tinubu’s third visit, and the most important, to Brazil in the last one year.

    His first visit was to attend the G-20 meeting, on November 18 and 19, 2024.

    The second was as an observer at the BRICS Summit on July 6 and 7.

    Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin visited Nigeria in June and signed some agreements with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

    Tinubu flew to Brasilia from Japan where he attended the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

    On aviation, the agreement is expected to restore air flights between Rio de Janeiro and Lagos with Brazil national carrier Varig Air and two Nigerian airlines – Air Peace and Caverton.

    Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo will sign the agreement on behalf of Nigeria during the summit.

    In the agriculture sector, an investment by Brazil in Nigeria’s vast and expansive livestock sub-sector will come on stream.

    Livestock is critical to the agenda of President Tinubu.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Japan seal deals to boost mining investment

    To achieve this, he set up the Ministry of Livestock Development so the potential in the area will benefit Nigeria investors and the economy.

    Also in agriculture, Brazil, which is a powerhouse, will make tractors available for farmers to boost food production in Nigeria.

    Brazil, being the biggest economy in South America with cultural affiliation to Nigeria, is bidding for investment in Nigeria, with the biggest population, vast arable land and one of the biggest economies in Africa.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Affairs Sunday Dare, reflecting on the President’s visit in an article, wrote: “Nigeria and Brazil have signed an economic cooperation with the launch of the Green Imperative Partnership (GIP), a US$1.1 billion initiative aimed at supplying 10,000 tractors and 50,000 pieces of equipment, to be assembled in Nigeria.

    “This project is estimated to provide about 100,000 direct jobs and over five million indirect jobs. The programme is anticipated to advance agricultural mechanisation and food security in Nigeria. It is imperative to note that the Green Imperative Agreement was signed during the visit of the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Mauro Viera, in Abuja this year.

    “Both (Brazil and Nigeria) are leaders of the Global South with converging aspirations in South–South cooperation.

    Together, we face common challenges — and opportunities:

    • Food Security: Brazil’s advanced mechanisation and Nigeria’s fertile land create a powerful synergy.

    • Climate Change and Energy Transition: Both countries share vulnerabilities, requiring joint innovation in renewables and green finance.

    • Global Trade Realignment:  With uncertainties around U.S. AGOA renewal, BRICS-linked trade and currency channels are becoming vital.

    • Technology and Youth Employment:  Harnessing the digital economy is central to empowering their youthful populations.

    “Trade between Nigeria and Brazil has experienced sharp swings in recent years. From a high of about US $9 billion a decade ago, bilateral trade fell to just US $1.6 billion in 2023, reflecting underutilised opportunities and shifting global dynamics.

    “In 2024, the figure remained under US $2 billion, with Brazil exporting roughly US $970 million worth of goods such as machinery and poultry to Nigeria, while Nigeria’s exports to Brazil stood at about US $920 million, driven by oil, cocoa, urea, and sesame. Brazil’s total imports from Nigeria in 2024 were valued at US $1.17 billion, largely mineral fuels and fertilizers.

    “Despite this contraction, the trade balance between the two economies remains relatively even, a sign of mutual complementarity rather than one-sided dependence. Nigeria’s non-oil exports are increasingly finding space in the Brazilian market — in October 2024 alone, Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached US $0.62 billion, with Brazil as the single largest destination, accounting for over 20 per cent of the total.

    “This demonstrates that beyond hydrocarbons, sectors like agriculture and agro-processing are already serving as bridges between the two economies, with clear potential for scaling up.

    “Looking ahead, both countries have set ambitious targets to revive and expand their trade partnership. At several fora, leaders pledged to push trade back above US $2 billion, with a longer-term goal of reaching US $3.5 billion by 2030.

    In Oil and Gas, Brazilian giants, such as Petrobras and Embraer, are exploring investments in energy and aviation. The BASA Agreement for a direct flight route between our two countries is already on the table to be consummated , a move that would  dramatically improve connectivity, lower costs, and unlock new flows of trade, tourism, and investment.

  • Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on BRICS as leaders meet in Brazil

    Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on BRICS as leaders meet in Brazil

    President Donald Trump said the U.S. would impose an additional 10 percent tariff on countries aligning themselves with the “anti-American policies” of the BRICS group of developing nations.

    Leaders of the BRICS group kicked off a summit in Brazil on Sunday.

    With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive “America First” approach of the U.S. president, the BRICS is presenting itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars.

    In a joint statement released on Sunday afternoon from the opening of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, the group warned that the rise in tariffs threatened global trade, continuing its veiled criticism of Trump’s tariff policies.

    Hours later, Trump warned he would punish countries seeking to join the grouping.

    “Any Country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 per cent Tariff.

    “There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

    Trump did not clarify or expand on the “anti-American policies” reference in his post.

    Trump’s administration is seeking to finalise dozens of trade deals with a wide range of countries before his July 9 deadline for imposing significant “retaliatory tariffs.”

    The original BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and China at its first summit in 2009.

    The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as members.

    Saudi Arabia has held off formally joining, according to sources, while another 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in the BRICS, either as full members or partners.

    Indonesia’s senior economic minister, Airlangga Hartarto, is in Brazil for the BRICS summit and is scheduled to go to the U.S. on Monday to oversee tariff talks, an official told Reuters. India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    In opening remarks to the summit earlier, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva drew a parallel with the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, a group of developing nations that resisted joining either side of a polarised global order.

    “BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told leaders.

    “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”

    BRICS nations now represent more than half the world’s population and 40 per cent of its economic output, Lula noted in remarks on Saturday to business leaders, warning of rising protectionism.

    Expansion of the bloc has added diplomatic weight to the gathering, which aspires to speak for developing nations across the Global South, strengthening calls for reforming global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund.

    “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date,” Lula said in his remarks, which highlighted the failure of U.S.-led wars in the Middle East.

    Stealing some thunder from this year’s summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his premier in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending online due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to his war in Ukraine.

    Still, several heads of state were gathered for discussions at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art on Sunday and Monday, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    However, there are questions about the shared goals of an increasingly heterogeneous BRICS group, which has grown to include regional rivals along with major emerging economies.

    In the joint statement, the leaders called attacks against Iran’s “civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities” a “violation of international law.”

    The group expressed “grave concern” for the Palestinian people over Israeli attacks on Gaza, and condemned what the joint statement called a “terrorist attack” in India-administered Kashmir.

    The group voiced its support for Ethiopia and Iran to join the World Trade Organisation, while calling to urgently restore its ability to resolve trade disputes.

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    The leaders’ joint statement backed plans to pilot a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative within the group’s New Development Bank to lower financing costs and boost investment in member states, as first reported by Reuters last week.

    In a separate statement following a discussion of artificial intelligence, the leaders called for protections against unauthorised use of AI to avoid excessive data collection and allow mechanisms for fair payment.

    Brazil, which also hosts the United Nations climate summit in November, has seized on both gatherings to highlight how seriously developing nations are tackling climate change, while Trump has slammed the brakes on U.S. climate initiatives.

    China and the UAE signaled in meetings with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in Rio that they plan to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions about funding conservation of endangered forests around the world. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Tinubu makes case for global finance, healthcare systems overhaul

    Tinubu makes case for global finance, healthcare systems overhaul

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a strong case for the restructuring of global governance, finance and healthcare systems, urging the international community adopt a more inclusive and equitable framework that takes into account the realities of low-income and emerging economies, especially in Africa.

    Speaking at the ongoing 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Tinubu said that the existing global institutions and economic architecture are outdated and disproportionately disadvantage nations in the Global South.

    “The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure. Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard today and all that has happened in BRICS”, the Nigerian President declared in his address on Sunday.

    This was contained in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

    Tinubu, who was invited to the summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, joined fellow leaders from the Global South and emerging economies in calling for a collective push towards more balanced and sustainable development. 

    Nigeria officially became a BRICS Partner Country in January 2025, following the bloc’s creation of the partner-country category at its 16th summit in Kazan, Russia, last October.

    Tinubu emphasised the urgent need to address pressing global issues such as environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and growing inequalities in healthcare — all of which, he said, continue to impede development and prosperity across Africa.

    “Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he pointed out, highlighting the imbalance in climate responsibilities and the disproportionate impact of climate change on African countries.

    Read Also: Why I’m in Tinubu’s govt, by Wike

    He stressed the need for a new global development model rooted in equity and justice, one that includes sustainable technology transfer and accessible financing for vulnerable economies. 

    “The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall,” Tinubu stated, referencing regional initiatives designed to combat climate change and drive green growth. 

    “We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment”, he said.

    The Nigerian leader reiterated his administration’s commitment to climate action, renewable energy, urban resilience, and universal health coverage, aligning with Nigeria’s Vision 2050 and its nationally determined contributions under global climate agreements.

    “Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare”, he declared.

    He warned that without fairness and inclusivity in the design of global solutions, especially for the continent’s youth population — which comprises 70 percent of Nigeria’s citizens — the future would remain imbalanced and unjust.

    “As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future.

    “Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all,” he noted.

    Tinubu also called for greater international focus on addressing non-communicable diseases, which he described as a shared global health burden that needs urgent collective attention.

    The Nigerian delegation to the summit includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

    Nigeria’s participation at the 17th BRICS Summit marks its first as a full partner country, joining other new partners — Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan — following a deliberate expansion by the bloc aimed at fostering greater inclusion of emerging voices in global policy dialogue.

    According to the Brazilian government, which currently holds the rotating presidency of BRICS, Nigeria’s strategic role in Africa and its position as the continent’s most populous country make it a crucial partner in advancing the bloc’s shared priorities, especially South-South cooperation and the reform of international financial institutions.

    The summit, which brings together the world’s leading emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — alongside new partner nations, continues through Monday with discussions focused on global trade, development financing, sustainable growth, and multilateral cooperation.

    President Tinubu’s strong advocacy for structural reform and equitable partnerships reflects Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage and its determination to shape international decisions that align with the interests of its people and the wider African continent.

  • Nigeria, Brazil deepen economic ties

    Nigeria, Brazil deepen economic ties

    • Shettima declares bold transformation under Tinubu

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria is undergoing a “quiet but resolute transformation” under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Vice President said the country is moving to deepen strategic economic cooperation with Brazil in agriculture, clean energy, trade, and infrastructure.

    Shettima spoke yesterday at the Nigeria–Brazil Business Forum with the theme: Roots to Revenue: The Nigeria–Brazil Corridor. It was the third day of the Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) in Abuja.

    The Vice President underscored the renewed strategic alliance between the two nations as a significant step toward mutual prosperity and sustainable development.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, VP Shettima said: “This renewed strategic alliance is grounded in intent and rich in the potential for mutual growth.”

    Drawing parallels between Brazil’s development journey and Nigeria’s current economic reforms, the Vice President said: “Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria is undergoing a quiet but resolute transformation. Markets are being opened. Institutions are being rebuilt. Policies are being refocused.

    “What drives these changes is a seriousness of purpose that goes beyond reform for reform’s sake. What we seek are partners who see our direction, who respect our ambition, and who are prepared to walk the path with us.”

    READ ALSO: Why is Nasir El-Rufai so desperate?

    He highlighted Brazil’s experience in agricultural transformation, clean energy deployment, and industrial growth as relevant models for Nigeria’s own ambitions.

    “Our Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones are taking form. Our farmers are ready to operate at scale. Brazil can stand with us in this effort, not as a donor, but as a partner in innovation, training, and investment,” Shettima said.

    The VP highlighted Brazil’s experience in agricultural transformation, clean energy deployment, and industrial growth as relevant models for Nigeria’s ambitions.

    “Our Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones are taking form. Our farmers are ready to operate at scale. Brazil can stand with us in this effort, not as a donor but as a partner in innovation, training, and investment,” he said.

    The Vice President also cited Nigeria’s gas-powered energy transition and renewable energy expansion as examples of President Tinubu’s reform agenda already yielding results.

    He said: “We are harnessing our gas reserves to power our industries and transportation, while also advancing our renewable energy ambitions. Brazil’s example provides guidance that is real and tested.”

    Commenting on the nation’s human capital development, Shettima expressed Nigeria’s interest in partnering with Brazilian institutions for training, research, and skills development, especially to prepare Nigeria’s youth-dominated population for the future economy.

    Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria, calling the current period “one of the most promising” moments in the history of bilateral relations.

    “This is a necessary complement to deepen our relationship. We want this moment to correspond to the production of sustainable partnerships for our people,” Alckmin said.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, called for a reset in Nigeria-Brazil trade relations.

    The minister highlighted the sharp drop in trade volume — from $9 billion a decade ago to $2 billion today — but insisted the growth potential is enormous.

    “The Nigeria-Brazil corridor is not a nostalgic idea; it is realistic and achievable. Let us walk the talk and ensure our deliberations yield results,” she said.

  • Nigeria, Brazil deepen strategic ties with $1bn agric deal

    Nigeria, Brazil deepen strategic ties with $1bn agric deal

    …new MoUs on defence, energy, drug control

    Nigeria and Brazil have taken a bold step in deepening their bilateral relations, with Vice President Kashim Shettima hailing the landmark $1 billion Green Imperative agricultural initiative as a “milestone” in renewed cooperation between both countries.

    The two nations on Tuesday opened the 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at consolidating economic, security, and cultural ties.

    Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, his wife Maria Lúcia Alckmin, and senior government officials were received earlier in the day by Vice President Shettima and other Nigerian dignitaries.

    In his address at the opening ceremony, Vice President Shettima described the Nigeria-Brazil partnership as one rooted in “mutual respect and practical cooperation,” with both countries sharing common democratic values and vast economic potential.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “Brazil and Nigeria are not bound by geography, but by a shared dream. Two large, diverse democracies. Two economies with immense natural and human capital. Two nations with the right to dream and the ability to build”.

    He emphasised the transformational impact of the Green Imperative Project, jointly developed by both nations, which aims to deploy over $1 billion to deliver mechanised farming equipment, training, and service centres across Nigeria.

    “This project will create jobs, raise productivity, and help secure Nigeria’s ambition to feed itself and others. The Green Imperative is a flagship of this partnership, and one we are determined to deliver,” he said.

    VP Shettima also used the occasion to reaffirm the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to economic reforms that are reshaping Nigeria’s investment landscape.

    He said, “Fuel subsidies have been removed. The exchange rate has been unified. A new business facilitation regime has come into force. These decisions are not without cost, but they are restoring credibility to our markets and discipline to public finance.”

    The Vice President explained that Nigeria is laying the foundation for a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030, with reforms spanning agriculture, energy, education, and public finance.

    “We are moving from subsistence to scale in agriculture, and in energy, we are taking long-overdue steps to attract serious investment into gas production, refining, and renewables. We recognise Brazil’s experience in biofuels and renewable technologies and see clear opportunities for joint ventures, knowledge transfer, and co-investment,” he added.

    VP Shettima called for enhanced cooperation in security, health, education, and innovation: “In health and education, our priorities are straightforward. We want to promote access, quality, and inclusion. From the rollout of a student loan scheme to digital learning platforms and expanded vocational training, we are investing in the minds and talents of our young people.

    “The Memoranda of Understanding before our sister nations today speak to the breadth of this cooperation. But memoranda are only as meaningful as the follow-through they inspire. We must resist the temptation to confuse signing with solving,” he said.

    Urging both sides to agree on practical steps to measure and enforce progress, the Vice President said, “Let this Strategic Dialogue Mechanism not be remembered as a formal reunion, but as a decisive pivot—from aspiration to execution, from promise to proof.”

    On his part, Brazil’s Vice President, Alckmin, said the strengthening of the Brazil-Nigeria partnership is anchored in shared values and a concrete results agenda, noting that “it is with great satisfaction that we witness the important results achieved in several fronts of cooperation.”

    Alckmin highlighted Nigeria’s presence in the 2nd Brazil-Africa dialogue on food security held in Brasilia last May, pointing out areas where the two countries have strengthened partnership and cooperation.

    He said, “In the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in areas of agriculture and security, which will boost our cooperation, our partnership has been strengthened also by the frequent high-level visits such as President Bola Tinubu’s recent participation in the G20 and the upcoming BRICS meeting in July.”

    On climate issues, the Brazilian VP said Brazil has the largest tropical forest in the world, which is a powerhouse in the green and low-carbon economy, just as he stated that it is impossible to discuss the energy transition without including Brazil.

    “I invite Nigeria, a country that also plays a leading role in these agendas, to come to COP30 in Belém at the end of this year. We must cooperate on these crucial issues for our countries and the world, and we have made a lot of progress,” he added.

    In his opening remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the event marks the epoch of Nigeria-Brazil bilateral relations and a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation with mutual understanding through people-to-people exchange between both countries.

    He noted that both countries share good relations dating back to the 1960s when Nigeria established diplomatic relations with Brazil.

    The Minister stated that the Strategic Dialogue was established to deepen ties between Nigeria and Brazil, with the first meeting held in 2013 in Brasilia with emphasis on economic and social development.

    Read Also: Fed Govt kicks off agric renewal with 2000 tractors

    On his part, the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, explained that Nigeria and Brazil share deep historical and cultural ties, both recognizing their common identities, one of which is the warm friendliness and affection they received in Nigeria, attesting to the strong bond between both countries.

    He stated that the reintegration of Brazil into the global stage has been the preoccupation and foreign policy direction of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and within that context, relations with Africa are a top priority.

    Garcete stressed that this is not because of Africa’s growing global importance but because Brazil’s policy towards Africa is directly linked to its domestic agenda.

    He noted that President Lula has said in the 2nd session of the Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight against Hunger, and Rural Development that “Africa is part of Brazil and Brazil is proud to say that it is part of Africa.

    “We intend to build partnerships with Africa in developing economic, social, and environmental initiatives, in particular to eradicate hunger and poverty and to reduce inequality on both sides of the planet,” he added.

    Also, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, stated that the strategic dialogue meeting is not just a meeting of two friendly nations but a meeting to share a vision for peace, security, and sustainable development both in their respective regions and on the global stage.

    Abubakar noted that the strategic meeting offers another opportunity to consolidate the gains and chart a new path for the future, as the two countries will seize the unique opportunity to deepen defence cooperation in four key areas, namely maritime security in the South Atlantic, acknowledging that Brazil’s role in this is well recognised.

    For his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, informed the delegation that the strategy of operation for food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu is gaining high momentum of development in Nigeria.

    He called for more partnership with Brazil in agriculture as the sector “remains a cornerstone in livelihood and food security.”

    Other ministers who spoke at the opening ceremony included Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako. Also present were Governors of Borno State, Ebonyi State, Niger State; deputy governor of Kaduna State. Others were the Minister of Power, Minister of Livestock Development, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

    Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning critical sectors, including agriculture, defence, energy, culture, and counter-narcotics, were signed on the first day of the meeting, with others lined up for the coming days.

    The first MoU signed was an Addendum to the Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), signed by Vice President Shettima on behalf of Nigeria and his Brazilian counterpart. The document reaffirms the guiding framework for Nigeria-Brazil cooperation, first established over a decade ago.

    The second was the Agreement on Defence Cooperation, signed by the Vice President of Brazil and Nigeria’s Minister of Defence. The agreement opens new avenues for collaboration in military training, intelligence sharing, and defence technology.

    In the energy sector, both countries signed an MoU in the Field of Technical Cooperation on Energy, outlining joint plans in electricity generation, renewable energy development, and energy access solutions.

    Others were the signing of an Addendum to the MoU on Cooperation in Livestock, Agriculture, and Food Security; MoU on Audiovisual Cooperation; MoU on Tourism Cooperation; and Cooperation in Combating the Illicit Production, Manufacture, and Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances signed by the Director of International Cooperation of the Brazilian Federal Police and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

  • Brazilian vice president arrives Nigeria for strategic dialogue

    Brazilian vice president arrives Nigeria for strategic dialogue

    The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin and his wife, Maria Alckmin, on Tuesday arrived Nigeria for the  commencement of the Second Session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM).

    On arrival at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the delegation was received by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.

    Other government officials that received the delegation are the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high-profile visit, represents a watershed in Nigeria’s South-South diplomatic engagement.

    It is expected to yield significant policy breakthroughs across multiple sectors.

    Speaking at a brief reception at the airport, Hadejia described the visit as “a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

    He emphasised the strategic importance of deepening ties with Brazil.

    “This dialogue mechanism represents our commitment to leveraging South-South partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to our citizens.

    “Brazil’s expertise in agribusiness, energy transition, and industrial development aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s transformation priorities and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

    The three-day summit will culminate in the signing of over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across critical sectors.

    The sectors include;, defence cooperation, agricultural technology transfer, energy collaboration, and cultural exchange programmes.

    (NAN)

  • Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid to coach Brazil

    Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid to coach Brazil

    Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will leave the Spanish club at the end of the season to become the new national team coach of Brazil.

    The 65-year-old Italian will officially take charge of Brazil on 26 May following the conclusion of the La Liga season.

    He leaves the Santiago Bernabeu as one of the club’s most successful managers.

    Ancelotti won 15 trophies across two spells as Real manager and last season led Los Blancos to a Champions League and La Liga double.

    However, his exit from Real comes after Sunday’s El Clasico defeat left Real seven points behind leaders Barcelona with three games remaining.

    Barring a spectacular collapse from Barcelona, that result all but confirmed that Real will end the season without a trophy for the first time in four years.

    A statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Ancelotti was a “legend of the game” and acknowledged the significance of a foreign coach taking charge of the team.

    “This landmark moment sees the coming together of two icons — the only five-time Fifa World Cup champions, and a coach with an unmatched record across Europe’s elite competitions,” the CBF said.

    “The CBF warmly welcomes Mr Ancelotti and looks forward to a new era of success under his leadership.”

    In their statement, the CBF also thanked Real president Florentino Perez for “facilitating the coach’s release during his contract term”.

    Ancelotti’s current deal with Real was set to expire in June 2026.

    The Italian takes over the Brazil job from Dorival Junior, who was sacked in March after they lost 4-1 to arch-rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying.

    Read Also: Brazil set Ancelotti deadline as Madrid exit looms

    Brazil sit fourth in the South American group, having lost five of 14 games, although are still well placed to qualify for the 2026 finals.

    Ancelotti’s first games in charge of Brazil will be the Selecao’s World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.

    Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002 and the last time they were Copa America champions was in 2019.

    During a 30-year managerial career Ancelotti has been in charge of some of the giants of European football, including Juventus, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich.

    He has won league titles in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England.

    Former Real, Liverpool and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, 43, is set to replace Ancelotti in the Bernabeu hot seat.

    Alonso announced last Friday he was leaving German side Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season and Real are said to want him in place before the start of next month’s Club World Cup.

    BBC

  • ‘Nigeria, Brazil share common cultural values’

    ‘Nigeria, Brazil share common cultural values’

    • Culture advocate presents book on Ifa to consulate
    • By Evelyn Osagie, Precious Godwin and Anu Ajibade

    Consul General of Brazil Francisco Luz has emphasised that Nigeria and Brazil’s shared cultural values.

    He made the observation during the presentation of “Ifá: The Enlightenment Volume One”, a book by culture advocate and author, Olusegun Daramola, to the Consul General in Lagos.

    According to Luz, who was represented by Ambassador Adeniran Arimoro, the gesture served as a beacon for cross-cultural understanding, emphasising the profound impact of Ifá on a global scale.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s strategy to improve healthcare in Niger Delta, by First Lady

    He said: “Brazil is a cherished home for many Nigerians, and this event served as a testament to the strong bonds between the two nations. Ifa is part of a larger body of work that seeks to promote understanding and appreciation of Ifá wisdom.”

    Adeniran added: “The gathering at the Consulate General became a catalyst for strengthening bonds of understanding. Ifá, revered as a shared cultural treasure, fosters connections and builds bridges between diverse communities.

    “Brazil Consulate General stands not only as a recipient of a treasured volume but as a symbolic space where cultural exchange and enlightenment intertwine.”

    According to the author, the occasion transcends conventional gestures, as it acknowledges the transformative power of Ifá’s teachings, while noting that Ifá, acting as a bridge, facilitates connections that surpasses geographical borders.

  • Nigeria, Brazil seal $1.1b green project deal to boost agric

    Nigeria, Brazil seal $1.1b green project deal to boost agric

    Six years after its initial agreement, Nigeria and Brazil have officially signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP), marking a significant step toward enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony of the deal at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to economic growth, policy continuity, and private-sector-driven agricultural development.

    GIP, the largest agricultural project in Africa which priotises the development of sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, aims to develop structural conditions to boost food production in Nigeria in an efficient and competitive manner.

    The deal for the $1.1 billion GIP 1 was signed in 2018, while the $4.3 billion phase 2 of the project and the $2.5 billion JBS were signed in Brazil during President Tinubu’s visit to that country last year.

    Sen Shettima has described the signing of the commercial phase of the GIP 1 as part of ongoing efforts by the administration of President Tinubu to enhance food security in the country.

    He said:  “As this administration addresses the food security challenges we are facing and dovetails the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is imperative for us to synergise and use existing initiatives such as the GIP for the purpose of policy continuity, for the purpose of utilising or leveraging on strategic opportunities to drive our economic growth and also to enhance investor confidence.”

    According to a statement, Shettima noted that while the GIP aligned with all the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, it will link small-scale farmers with all the agricultural value chains in the country.

    He said: “We have been battling with low agricultural productivity for decades, and as I have always said, entrepreneurial capitalism is embedded in the very psyche of the average Nigerian, but what our people are lacking is the wherewithal to be placed on the first ladder of development.

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    “This GIP is a wonderful opportunity because it seamlessly aligns with all the policies and programmes of this government. It’s a private sector driven initiative that targets the small-scale farmer and links him up with all the agricultural value chains.

    “Today, to me, is a highpoint of our leadership in this country. Yes, we have started seven years behind but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. 2025 as rightly captured by His Excellency, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, is a milestone year in our journey towards food security and diversification of our nation’s economy.”

    The Vice President gave credit to the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Foreign Affairs Minister, among others for the success of the project.

    In his remarks, the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete said it is a great honour for Brazil to associate with the GIP, saying “over the past seven years, there has been negotiation with the Nigerian government with a view to obtaining the necessary funds from private and regional development banks to finance this ambitious project, which is worth approximately $1.1billion.”

    He noted that the project will allow for the importation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, spare parts and assembling of machines will be done in Nigeria with the Nigerian labour, stressing that “in the event of breakdown of any tractor, it will be possible to carry out any repairs here in Nigeria by the personnel who will be trained by GIP.”

    On behalf of the Brazilian government, Mr. Garcete thanked President Tinubu for bringing the long negotiation to a fruitful conclusion.

    In his goodwill message, the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, expressed delight over the signing of the agreement noting that “for us at the sub-national level, it is a very important day for us because agriculture plays an important role in the economy of the country.”

    He said the signing of the agreement underscored the high level commitment of the Tinubu administration in improving and transforming agriculture in Nigeria.

    “This commitment which is demonstrated from the highest level from the President to the Vice President, I think those of us at the subnational have nothing to do except to toe the line because this is our project,” he stated.

    Also in his remarks, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, said Benue State, being the food basket of the nation, is the happiest state among the sub-nationals to witness the signing of the agreement.

    Assuring that the government of the state will give full support to the success of the project, he said, “Benue State does not only hold the basket but the food and its surpluses for the nation.”

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Tuggar, who also witnessed the signing of the agreement, said the exercise is a good example of the South-South Cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil, adding that “the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Nigeria last week where he had bilateral meeting with the Nigerian President.”

    He said both countries are very passionate about the project, having seen what Brazil has achieved and how it turned a barren savannah into one of the most prolific agriculture sites in the world today.

    Also, Attorney General of the Federation Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, thanked the Vice President and all the stakeholders who made the event successful.

  • Nigeria, Brazil seal $1.1bn Green imperative project to boost agriculture

    Nigeria, Brazil seal $1.1bn Green imperative project to boost agriculture

    Six years after its initial agreement, Nigeria and Brazil have officially signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP), marking a significant step toward enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the signing ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasised the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to economic growth, policy continuity, and private-sector-driven agricultural development.

    GIP, the largest agricultural project in Africa which prioritises the development of sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, aims to develop structural conditions to boost food production in Nigeria in an efficient and competitive manner.

    The MoU for the $1.1 billion GIP 1 was signed in 2018 while the $4.3 billion phase 2 of the project and the $2.5 billion JBS were signed in Brazil during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to that country last year.

    Shettima described the signing of the commercial phase of the GIP 1 as part of ongoing efforts by the administration of President Tinubu to enhance food security in the country.

    He said: “As this administration addresses the food security challenges we are facing and dovetails the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is imperative for us to synergise and use existing initiatives such as the GIP for the purpose of policy continuity, for the purpose of utilising or leveraging on strategic opportunities to drive our economic growth and also to enhance investor confidence.”

    According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted while the GIP aligns with all the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, it will link small-scale farmers with all the agricultural value chains in the country.

    He noted: “We have been battling with low agricultural productivity for decades, and as I have always said, entrepreneurial capitalism is embedded in the very psyche of the average Nigerian, but what our people are lacking is the wherewithal to be placed on the first ladder of development.

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    “This GIP is a wonderful opportunity because it seamlessly aligns with all the policies and programmes of this government. It’s a private sector driven initiative that targets the small-scale farmer and links him up with all the agricultural value chains.

    “Today, to me, is a highpoint of our leadership in this country. Yes, we have started seven years behind but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. 2025 as rightly captured by His Excellency, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, is a milestone year in our journey towards food security and diversification of our nation’s economy.”

    The Vice President gave credit to the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Foreign Affairs Minister, among others for the success of the project.

    Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete said it is a great honour for Brazil to associate with the Green Imperative Project (GIP), saying “over the past seven years, there has been negotiation with the Nigerian government with a view to obtaining the necessary funds from private and regional development banks to finance this ambitious project, which is worth approximately $1.1billion dollars.”

    He noted that the project will allow for the importation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, spare parts and assembling of machines will be done in Nigeria with the Nigerian labour, stressing that “in the event of breakdown of any tractor, it will be possible to carry out any repairs here in Nigeria by the personnel who will be trained by GIP.”

    On behalf the Brazilian government, Mr. Garcete thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bringing the long negotiation to a fruitful conclusion.