Nigerian airline Air Peace will commence direct flights between Lagos and Brazil in late November 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s aviation industry.
The development follows the bilateral air services agreement (BASA) signed between Nigeria and Brazil during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the South American nation. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has since approved Air Peace’s operations on the Lagos–São Paulo route.
Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, said the service will initially operate three times weekly on the Lagos–Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo–Lagos route. He described the initiative as a “long-awaited aviation connectivity breakthrough” that would strengthen economic and cultural ties between Africa’s and Latin America’s largest economies.
“The Nigerian and Brazilian economies are both rich in human and natural resources,” Onyema said. “Without aviation, it is difficult to maximise these opportunities. Aviation is a catalyst for development, and this new link is critical to driving growth.”
Onyema added that while daily flights are not feasible at the onset, operations will expand as demand increases. He expressed optimism that the service would boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, described the BASA as a bridge to reconnect centuries-old historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil. He noted that the new route would reduce travel time by at least seven hours compared to existing connections routed through Europe.
“This agreement is not only about trade; it is about reconnecting, rebuilding, and investing in shared economic, social, and cultural interests,” Idris said. “Once the service becomes commercially viable, it will further strengthen cooperation between both countries.”
He added that the BASA was the product of extensive bilateral engagements covering aviation, health, and science and technology, signalling a new phase in Nigeria–Brazil relations.
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