Nigeria to Sign Over 30 MoUs as Second Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Begins June 23

Nigeria, Brazil to deepen ties with 30 new MoUs as top officials meet in Abuja next week.

Trade, agriculture, defense, and culture top agenda in renewed push for strategic cooperation.

Nigeria will welcome a high-level delegation from Brazil for the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), scheduled to begin on Monday, June 23, in Abuja. The three-day event will focus on deepening economic collaboration between the two nations, with plans to sign more than 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across vital sectors such as agriculture, energy, defense, innovation, and the creative industry.

This visit marks a key moment in Nigeria’s international relations, as Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, is set to lead his country’s delegation. It is expected that this dialogue will enhance economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil, which are the largest economies in Africa and South America respectively.

At a press conference held at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia, described the engagement as an important step that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. According to Hadejia, the forum is intended to create room for direct investment, boost technical partnerships, and establish long-term development plans in critical sectors.

“During the visit of the Brazilian delegation, we will engage in comprehensive discussions aimed at expanding collaboration across trade and investment, agriculture, energy, defense, innovation, and cultural exchange. These are areas that are critical to the sustainable development aspirations of both nations,” Hadejia said.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, shared more insights into the strengthening relationship. She explained that the SDM, which began in 2013, has gained renewed momentum following President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil in late 2024.

Oduwole revealed that a Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum is scheduled for June 25. This event will bring together government officials and private sector representatives from both countries, targeting a joint market of over 400 million consumers. A highlight of the forum will be the launch of a Digital Trade Room to support innovation and electronic commerce between both nations.

“Brazil’s deep experience in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s vibrant fintech landscape create powerful synergies that can drive scalable innovation,” she noted.

In the agricultural space, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced that several MoUs will be signed to support collaboration in areas such as animal genetics, soybean cultivation, and agricultural research. He also said that Nigeria plans to use this platform to accelerate the Green Imperative Program (GIP), a $4.5 billion initiative meant to improve food production across the country’s 774 local governments.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, spoke on the importance of cultural links between Nigeria and Brazil. She said upcoming agreements will help foster Afro-Atlantic cooperation and open economic opportunities within the creative and tourism sectors.

Also speaking at the event, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that about 30 MoUs are currently being discussed, with most expected to be finalized during this visit. Others, she added, would be completed during President Tinubu’s planned state visit to Brazil later in the year.

“We are focusing on our areas of strength to bring out the best in us. Every ministry is expected to contribute strategically,” Olisa said.

Marion Moon, who serves as Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), said the preparations have been extensive. According to her, coordination includes both federal and state governments as well as private businesses. She noted that Brazilian investors will be taken on site visits to states such as Kebbi, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, being organized through the Office of the Vice President, is designed to go beyond diplomatic meetings and deliver real investment partnerships. It also aims to promote stronger South-South cooperation between the two regional powers.