President Bola Tinubu is urging Brazil to share its technological expertise with Africa as Nigeria and Brazil signed a landmark pact on science, technology and innovation during his State Visit to Brasília.
The agreement, endorsed by Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, covers cooperation in biotechnology, renewable energy, bioeconomy, ocean science, digital transformation, space development and raw materials research.
It forms part of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the visit, spanning trade, aviation, diplomacy, finance and energy, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and fostering innovation-driven collaboration.
The agreement, endorsed by Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, covers cooperation in biotechnology, renewable energy, bioeconomy, ocean science, digital transformation, space development and raw materials research.
Tinubu calls for shared technology with Brazil
Tinubu underscores the need for Brazil to extend its technological edge to Africa.
“I don’t see why the technological superiority of Brazil is not shared with Africa. We assured each other that only we can develop our economies to help our sovereignty,” the Nigerian leader said.
He calls for the cooperation to go beyond symbolic ties into practical partnerships. “We need to share technology transfer, energy, economy so that Brazil can continue to widen the opportunities for us to embrace Africa. Africa is the new frontier. There is no other way to do it than to embrace it with technology, fast development, research, food sovereignty and manufacturing.”
On healthcare, Tinubu pointed to Brazil’s success in generic drug manufacturing, adding: “I don’t know why the manufacturing of generic drugs, which Brazil has done deeply and far, cannot be in Nigeria.”
A reset in ties
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says the agreements signals a renewed partnership between both nations.
“At a time when protectionism and unilateralism have returned, Nigeria and Brazil reaffirm their bet on free trade and productive integration. We continue to be dedicated to building a world of peace, free from hegemonic impositions,” he adds.
Among the other agreements is a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), paving the way for Air Peace to launch a direct Lagos–São Paulo flight. Also, Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras is set to return to Nigeria after a five-year absence.
Tinubu assures Brazilian investors that Nigeria’s economic reforms are beginning to yield results.
“The reforms I’ve embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria have been very impactful. It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming,” he adds.
With trade between both countries valued at nearly US$2.1 billion in 2024, the cooperation pact signals a shift from commodity-based exchange towards innovation, science and industrial growth.
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