Air Peace Boss Allen Onyema Commends Tinubu on Brazil BASA

Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema has commended President Bola Tinubu on the landmark Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil, which will enable the airline to commence direct flights linking Lagos to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro before the end of the year.

In an interview with journalists in Brasília, Mr Onyema said the designation of Air Peace to operate the new route represents a significant step towards unlocking the economic potential between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s biggest market. “This agreement will open up both economies. The Brazilian economy is the largest in Latin America, while Nigeria’s is the largest in Africa. Without aviation, it is very difficult for these opportunities to be fully tapped. Aviation is a catalyst for development, and this is a significant milestone we are glad about,” he said.

The BASA was formalised during President Tinubu’s two-day state visit to Brazil, where he met with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both presidents witnessed the signing of several agreements, including the aviation pact.

According to Mr Onyema, Air Peace’s direct flights between Lagos and Brazil are expected to begin between late November and early December, starting with three weekly services. The planned route will connect Lagos–Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo–Lagos, with hopes of expanding frequency as demand grows.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who accompanied President Tinubu on the visit, described the deal as a renewed bridge across the Atlantic, reducing travel time and symbolising a renewed connection between the two nations. “Our flight to Brazil this week took us more than 24 hours via Europe. Now this will be reduced by about seven hours. Beyond trade and investment, this is about reconnecting culturally and socially. This agreement is a way of rebuilding that connection,” he explained.

Mr Idris also highlighted President Tinubu’s leadership role in Africa, saying, “Once President Tinubu travels out of the country, he is not just speaking for Nigeria, he is also speaking for the African continent. Nigeria is a continental leader, and that was evident in these talks.”

The aviation pact is one of five agreements signed between Nigeria and Brazil during the visit, covering areas such as health, science and technology, and cultural cooperation. Both nations have been strengthening their partnership since the presidents met on the sidelines of the AU summit in Nairobi in 2024, followed by interactions at the G20 and BRICS meetings.