President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja following a two-week diplomatic mission to Japan and Brazil, where he engaged in high-level talks aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s international partnerships.
The President first traveled to Tokyo to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), before heading to Brazil for a state visit focused on deepening bilateral ties between both nations.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at exactly 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, where he was received by top government officials.
During his time in Brazil, Nigeria and Brazil signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning key sectors including aviation, foreign affairs, energy, agriculture, science and technology, and security.
In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the presidential jet departed Brasília Air Force Base at 12:57 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
The departure ceremony in Brazil was attended by Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s envoy to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other officials were also present.
A brief departure ceremony, which included a guard of honour led by Colonel Nicolas, was held in President Tinubu’s honour.
President Tinubu arrived in Brasília on Monday, August 25, where he was accorded full military honours at the Palácio do Planalto, the official workplace of Brazil’s president.
He later held bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, alongside senior government officials from both countries. The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in sectors aligned with Nigeria’s development priorities.
