L-R: Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, at the Signing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, in Brazil
The series of high-power diplomatic overtures by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PBAT, that began recently, with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, which focused on economic, bilateral trade, social, cultural, tourism, and air connectivity, among others, has begun yielding fruit.
The initial tangible result of the diplomatic missions has produced an outcome in the connectivity that Air Peace has just launched, through its inaugural flight between Lagos, Nigeria, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the largest market in South America, and Nigeria, the largest market in West and Central Africa.
Air Peace’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to building a new Nigeria that offers greater opportunities for its youths.
He stressed that the vision behind Air Peace’s expansion reflected not only partnership but also a symbiotic relationship built on respect and mutual growth.
“The President is not seeking partnerships that will lord it over us. He sought and got partnerships that are symbiotic in nature—not parasitic—partners who will respect our sovereignty and not bully us,” Onyema said.
On the broader connectivity impact, he added: “This is not just a flight; it is a bridge. Connectivity is at the heart of true partnership. By opening this corridor, we are bringing Nigeria closer to Brazil and, by extension, to South America and the Caribbean. This is the beginning of long-lasting opportunities for both regions.”
At a press briefing after the arrival of the inaugural flight at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended President Tinubu for his remarkable contributions to the sector. He noted that Air Peace’s achievement was the first tangible fruit of the President’s diplomatic shuttle to Brazil.
“What we are seeing today is the first fruit of the diplomatic shuttle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brazil. In his wisdom, the President has decided to reopen and expand our economic, diplomatic, and trade relations with Brazil”.
The cabin and cockpit crew of the inaugural flight to Brazil. Middle is the Chairman, Air Peace, Dr Allen Ifechukwu Onyema.
Keyamo added that, “Brazil is the biggest economy in South America, and Nigeria is considered the biggest economy in Africa. Connecting these two economies was very key to both presidents,” he said, praising President Tinubu for empowering the aviation sector to deliver this milestone through Air Peace.
He further highlighted that Air Peace’s direct service would simplify travel between Nigeria and Brazil, eliminating the need for long detours through Europe or the Middle East.
Keyamo noted that, “With the new route, flight time is cut to just seven hours across the Atlantic, a move expected to unlock unprecedented opportunities in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange”.
The Minister also emphasized that the service would facilitate onward connections across South America, providing direct access to Nigeria and, by extension, to Africa, thereby boosting regional and economic integration.
According to the media statement issued by Air Peace, “the new Lagos–Brazil service will operate three times weekly, with plans to scale up frequency in the near future. With this development, Air Peace positions Nigeria as the gateway for West and Central Africa into South America, while simultaneously giving Brazil onward access across the African continent.
Through this milestone, Air Peace reaffirms its role not only as Nigeria’s leading carrier but also as a regional connector and a symbol of Africa’s growing presence on the global aviation stage.
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