By Ayomide Otitoju
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília, Brazil, early Monday to begin a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Tinubu touched down at Brasília International Airport at 12:30 a.m. local time, flying in from Los Angeles, United States. He was received at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s envoy to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was also on hand to welcome the president.
Other Nigerian ministers, heads of key agencies, and private-sector representatives later joined the delegation at Tinubu’s hotel. They are expected to participate in a series of bilateral talks and business engagements during the visit.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the official welcoming ceremony, complete with full military honours, will take place Monday at the Planalto Palace. There, Tinubu will hold private talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, followed by expanded bilateral meetings between senior officials of both governments.
The two leaders will witness the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press conference.
Tinubu’s programme in Brasília also includes meetings with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court. He is further scheduled to participate in the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, which will bring together government officials and private-sector leaders from both countries.
