The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, alongside his wife Maria Lúcia Alckmin, arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 24, to participate in the Second Session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries.
The delegation landed at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where they were received by senior Nigerian officials including Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; and Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
Senator Hadejia described the visit as “a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” emphasizing the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships with Brazil. He noted Brazil’s expertise in agribusiness, industrial development, and energy transition aligns closely with Nigeria’s national development goals.
The three-day summit is expected to conclude with the signing of over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering key sectors such as defence cooperation, agricultural technology transfer, energy collaboration, cultural exchanges, trade facilitation, and industrial development.
The Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, scheduled for June 25, will feature sector-specific engagements including a Digital Trade Room aimed at deepening trade ties and leveraging digital innovation strengths from both countries.
Minister Jumoke Oduwole highlighted that the SDM, first established in 2013, has gained renewed momentum following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Brazil in late 2024. She described the forum as a platform to engage over 400 million consumers across the two markets, with powerful synergies between Brazil’s leadership in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s growing fintech sector.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima earlier noted that 2025 represents a critical moment of interface between Nigeria and Brazil, with multiple global events hosted by Brazil providing unique opportunities to advance Nigeria’s interests on the international stage.
This strategic dialogue underscores the commitment of both nations to deepen South-South cooperation and unlock new avenues for economic growth, investment, and technological collaboration.
