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NIGERIA :WHY BRAZIL. YES, BRAZIL
By Sunday Dare
Three visits in less than a year. That is not mere coincidence, it is deliberate strategy. And as usual, disingenuous reportage from a section of the press is insinuating some obsession of President Tinubu with Brazil. Well, Yes. But It is an obsession in pursuit of economic partnerships and opportunities for Nigeria. And that’s what visionary leaders do.
The deeper truth, however, lies in a deliberate arc of diplomacy — one that connects Nigeria’s voice in global governance to concrete opportunities for investment, trade, and cooperation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will undertake his third visit to Brazil from August 24–25, 2025, at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, one of our biggest supporters and partners.
This two-day State Visit will feature bilateral meetings, a Nigeria–Brazil Business Forum with leading investors, and the signing of key agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation across agriculture, energy, technology, aviation, renewable energy and cultural exchange.
A strategic Arc -From G20 to BRICS to a State Visit:
The first visit of President Tinubu to Brazil was in November 2024: for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Rio de Janeiro from November 18-19, 2024. The President was at the summit which focused on ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,’ a gathering that was convened to tackle major global challenges like poverty, hunger, energy transition, and sustainable development.
At that forum, Tinubu gracefully advocated for reforming global governance structures, continuing Nigeria’s long-standing call for fairer representation of developing nations in decision-making institutions.
The sophomore visit was barely a month ago from 6th-7th of July for the BRICS Summit, in Brasília. At this 17th BRICS Summit, President Tinubu participated as the leader of a Partner Country- a membership category short of full status but significant, nonetheless.
This BRICS summit focused on ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’ with discussions centering on social, economic, and environmental development. President Tinubu’s message rang out clearly : Nigeria cannot remain a passive observer in the evolving global order — it must be an active shaper of a fairer and more inclusive system.
“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare”.
And now, this august visit in August 2025- this State Visit marks the transition from diplomacy to deals. Beyond dialogue, the focus will be activating multi-billion-dollar agricultural investments, advancing joint initiatives like the $1.1 billion Green Imperative mechanization project and securing new flows of FDI into Nigeria’s agriculture and energy sectors. It is also about deepening political trust, expanding cultural exchange, and harnessing shared opportunities in renewable energy, climate resilience, and digital transformation.
Why Nigeria and Brazil Must Work Together
Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy and a global agricultural powerhouse. Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies with vast arable land and a young, dynamic population. Both are leaders of the Global South with converging aspirations in South–South cooperation.
Together, we face common challenges — and opportunities:
•Food Security: Brazil’s advanced mechanization and Nigeria’s fertile land create a powerful synergy.
•Climate Change & Energy Transition: Both countries share vulnerabilities, requiring joint innovation in renewables and green finance.
•Global Trade Realignment: With uncertainties around U.S. AGOA renewal, BRICS-linked trade and currency channels are becoming vital.
… Technology & Youth Employment: Harnessing the digital economy is central to empowering their youthful populations.
Trade and Investment Potential
Trade between Nigeria and Brazil has experienced sharp swings in recent years. From a high of about US $9 billion a decade ago, bilateral trade fell to just US $1.6 billion in 2023, reflecting underutilized opportunities and shifting global dynamics.
In 2024, the figure remained under US $2 billion, with Brazil exporting roughly US $970 million worth of goods such as machinery and poultry to Nigeria, while Nigeria’s exports to Brazil stood at about US $920 million, driven by oil, cocoa, urea, and sesame. Brazil’s total imports from Nigeria in 2024 were valued at US $1.17 billion, largely mineral fuels and fertilizers.
Despite this contraction, the trade balance between the two economies remains relatively even, a sign of mutual complementarity rather than one-sided dependence. Nigeria’s non-oil exports are increasingly finding space in the Brazilian market — in October 2024 alone, Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached US $0.62 billion, with Brazil as the single largest destination, accounting for over 20 per cent of the total.
This demonstrates that beyond hydrocarbons, sectors like agriculture and agro-processing are already serving as bridges between the two economies, with clear potential for scaling up.
Looking ahead, both countries have set ambitious targets to revive and expand their trade partnership. At seevral fora, leaders pledged to push trade back above US $2 billion, with a longer-term goal of reaching US $3.5 billion by 2030.
Nigeria and Brazil have since signed onto an economic cooperation with the launch of the Green Imperative Partnership (GIP), a USD $1.1 billion initiative aimed at supplying 10,000 tractors and 50,000 pieces of equipment, to be assembled in Nigeria.
This project is estimated to provide about 100,000 direct jobs and over 5 million indirect jobs. The program is anticipated to advance agricultural mechanisation and food security in Nigeria. It is imperative to note that the Green Imperative Agreement was signed during the visit of the Brazilian Foreign Minister, H.E. Mauro Viera, in Abuja this year.
In Oil & Gas, Brazilian giants such as Petrobras and Embraer are exploring investments in energy and aviation. The BASA Agreement for a direct flight route between our two countries is already on the table to be consummated , a move that would dramatically improve connectivity, lower costs, and unlock new flows of trade, tourism, and investment.
Cultural Linkages
Asides trade and economy, Nigeria and Brazil are linked by deep historical bonds dating back to the transatlantic slave trade, when millions of Africans — especially Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo — were taken to Brazil. Their languages, faiths, music, and cuisine left lasting imprints, visible today in Salvador da Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblé and Capoeira. Consular relations between the two countries are marked by the presence of an estimated 9,000 Nigerians residing in Brazil, the majority of whom live in Sao Paulo, the biggest city and commercial nerve center of the country.
These roots now fuel modern exchanges in art, film, music, and academia, with Yoruba studies thriving in Brazil and Afro-Brazilian festivals attracting Nigerians. Such cultural diplomacy strengthens goodwill and opens pathways in the creative economy, heritage tourism, and education — proving the Nigeria–Brazil relationship is as much about shared identity as it is about shared strategy.
Beyond Trade and Diplomacy — Towards Shared Prosperity
The growing relevance of BRICS and the G20 signals a shift toward a multipolar world order. This is not about opposing any single power bloc; it is about ensuring space for voices like Nigeria’s and Brazil’s in reshaping trade, finance, technology, and food systems…
Aso Rock Villa #brazil
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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
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