Trade, Health, Defence, top list as Nigeria-Brazil move to sign 30 MoUs in Abuja

…Targets $4.5b investments

The Federal government said no fewer than 30 Memoranda of Understanding have been listed for signing at the second edition of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue, next week.

The high-level engagement aimed at deepening bilateral ties between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s industrial powerhouse will take place during the forthcoming visit to Nigeria by Geraldo Alckmin, the Vice President of Brazil, from 23 to 26 of June.

Ibrahim Hadejia, the deputy chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, in charge ofvOffice of the Vice President, said the dialogue will witness the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across key sectors including trade, agriculture, investment, energy, defence, health, education, and the creative economy amongst others.

Speaking further on the event, he emphasised that the outcomes of the dialogue are intended to unlock new investment opportunities for both countries

He noted that the dialogue, which is an offshoot of President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil in 2024, will also foster innovation and position Nigeria as a strategic gateway for continental trade and industrial growth.

“This is more than a diplomatic routine, it’s a bold step toward South-South cooperation that delivers mutual prosperity,” Hadeija said. “We’ve held sustained high-level consultations for over two months to ensure tangible outcomes that align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade and Investment, outlined Nigeria’s core focus areas ahead of the talks, describing the dialogue as a catalyst for economic revitalisation.

According to the Minister, key initiatives will include revitalisation of bilateral cooperation, building on President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil in November 2024, the dialogue aims to deepen diplomatic and economic engagements with the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Under the sectoral Cooperation, there will be talks to strengthen collaboration in agriculture, energy, education, digital economy, and defence—areas deemed critical to both countries’ development priorities.

At the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum (June 25): to be co-chaired by Oduwole, the forum will focus on harnessing opportunities across a joint market of over 400 million people, with special emphasis on agribusiness, bioeconomy, creative industries, and digital trade.

In the area of the digital Trade Room, there will be “engagement rooms” which will allow in-depth dialogue on thematic sectors. The Digital Trade Room will address cross-border e-commerce, FinTech partnerships, and smart logistics, building on Brazil’s digital inclusion strengths and Nigeria’s vibrant tech ecosystem.

Real Sector Exposure: Brazilian investors will visit key Nigerian industries in agro-processing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cultural enterprises for firsthand exposure to viable opportunities.

Oduwole lauded the coordination led by the Office of the Vice President in harmonising inter-ministerial efforts and called on the media to spotlight the dialogue as a vehicle for impactful, citizen-centred outcomes.

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, while speaking on expectations, described the forum as a “reunion of civilizations,” underscoring the deep cultural and historical ties that unite Nigeria and Brazil.

“A significant portion of Brazilians trace their roots to Nigeria, particularly to the Yoruba heritage,” she said. “This dialogue is not just a diplomatic event, it’s an ancestral homecoming and a springboard for cultural diplomacy.”

She revealed that two MoUs will be signed with Brazil to boost collaboration in film, fashion, tourism, and cultural exchange, while noting that the Afro-Brazilian spiritual and cultural legacy presents a rich opportunity for tourism and creative investment.

“Nigeria will welcome Brazil with full cultural vibrancy, from the spiritual depth of the Orisha traditions to the creative genius of our youth-led industries,” she said. “This is the beginning of a new era in Afro-Atlantic cooperation.”

Also speaking, Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said the Nigeria-Brazil partnership is critical to achieving the Federal Government’s vision of food sovereignty.

He recalled Nigeria’s participation in the Brazil-Africa Dialogue just weeks earlier, where lessons were drawn from Brazil’s successful transition from a food-importing country to one of the world’s leading food exporters.

“We engaged with Brazilian institutions such as Embrapa, and signed two major MoUs on research and development, one on soybeans, the other on livestock improvement,” Kyari stated.

He announced that another MoU will be signed during the Vice President’s hosting of the forum, further solidifying cooperation in agriculture.

The Minister also highlighted the Green Imperative Programme, a Brazil-backed, €950 million initiative designed to establish agricultural projects in all 774 local governments across Nigeria.

He said, the programme, expected to attract over $4.5 billion in total investment, targets the entire agriculture value chain, from production to processing and aggregation.

“We are moving from food security to food sovereignty, in line with President Tinubu’s directive. Brazil is a strategic partner on this journey,” Kyari said.

Janet Olisa, Director, Regions Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed that about 30 MoUs will be signed during the engagement with 10 to be concluded by next week.

According to her ” The Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue is poised to become a landmark in Nigeria’s foreign relations, merging diplomacy, commerce, culture, and innovation into a unified platform for global relevance and national development”.