By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
At the sidelines of the ongoing African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil have affirmed their commitment to enhancing the economic partnership between their nations.
The meeting, which took place during President Lula’s visit as a guest of African leaders at the summit, saw both leaders discussing strategies to deepen bilateral relations for mutual benefit.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale confirmed the bilateral discussions, highlighting President Tinubu’s emphasis on Nigeria’s economic potential and ongoing efforts to create a conducive business environment. Tinubu underscored his administration’s investments in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and improving the welfare of Nigerian citizens.
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President Lula da Silva acknowledged the historical ties between Nigeria and Brazil, expressing his determination to revitalize the once robust trade relationship between the two countries. He lamented the decline in trade volume from over $10 billion to $1.6 billion and expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors, including academia, culture, commerce, agriculture, and aviation.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of direct air links between Lagos and Sao Paulo to facilitate easier movement of people and goods. They also discussed potential collaborations in areas such as solid mineral exploration, agriculture, education, and healthcare.
President Tinubu welcomed President Lula’s invitation for a state visit to Brazil and pledged to work closely with his Brazilian counterpart to explore opportunities for cooperation and mutual development.
The dialogue between the leaders of Africa’s largest economy and South America’s largest economy reflects a renewed commitment to fostering stronger ties and leveraging shared opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.
In addition to their discussions on economic collaboration, President Tinubu and President Lula also underscored the importance of cultural and academic exchanges between Nigeria and Brazil.