By Joy Odor
Nigeria and Brazil took a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties on Wednesday, aimed at boosting cooperation in areas such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure development.
A high-level delegation from Brazil, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Abuja.
The two countries are expected to sign several agreements.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Tuggar highlighted Brazil’s attendance at Nigeria’s independence celebration, underscoring the strong historical ties between the two nations.
He emphasized the significance of the visit, affirming it as a natural progression of partnership and a continuation of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. Ambassador Tuggar referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Brazil last year, where he attended the G20 summit and engaged in activities to strengthen bilateral ties.
“We welcome you and your delegation warmly, and we’re happy to see you here in Abuja. We share a lot in common, from our size and economies to our population and culture. This visit is a natural progression of our partnership,” he stated.
In response, Minister Vieira mentioned that the visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations, building on previous engagements since President Lula took office in January 2023.
He emphasized the importance of strategic dialogue and exploring deeper relations in various areas, including culture, economics, cooperation, education, and more.
Minister Vieira highlighted the close contact between Brazilians and Nigerians, as well as the significant presence of Nigerians in Brazilian society and culture.
He recalled his first meeting with Nigerian officials in Dubai in 2023 and the subsequent meeting between President Lula and President Tinubu in Addis Ababa in 2024.
Vieira commended President Tinubu’s participation in the G20 summit in Brazil last November, valuing Nigeria’s contributions to the forum.
