From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Government is set to sign over 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), which begins Monday, June 23, 2025.
Key sectors targeted include agriculture, energy, defence, innovation and the creative economy, marking a new investment drive between the two nations.
The three-day event to be held in Abuja, aims to attract new investment flows, deepen technical cooperation and enhance strategic business engagements between Nigeria and Brazil.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia, described the visit of the Brazilian delegation, led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, as a landmark in Nigeria’s international diplomacy and a strategic platform for strengthening bilateral ties.
“During the visit of the Brazilian delegation, we will engage in comprehensive discussions aimed at expanding collaboration across key sectors, such as trade and investment, agriculture, energy, defence, innovation and cultural exchange.”
Hadejia highlighted the alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda focusing on economic revitalisation and global partnerships.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, noted that the dialogue, first established in 2013, has gained momentum following President Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil in late 2024. She announced a Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum on June 25, which will gather government officials, private sector leaders and represent over 400 million consumers. A major feature will be sector-specific engagement platforms, including a Digital Trade Room, leveraging Brazil’s expertise in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, revealed ongoing discussions to boost agricultural productivity through MoUs in research and development on animal genetics and soya bean production. He emphasised the Green Imperative Programme (GIP), a $4.5 billion investment initiative to establish agricultural project offices across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, stressed the shared cultural heritage between Nigeria and Brazil as a foundation to transform Afro-Atlantic cooperation, particularly in the creative and tourism sectors. She expressed optimism that the MoUs would spur economic and cultural growth.
Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Janet Olisa, said the dialogue would advance economic diplomacy with a focus on trade, agriculture, digital innovation and private sector collaboration. “We have close to 30 memoranda of understanding under negotiation across agriculture, defence, health, creative economy and more. Some will be signed next week, others during the President’s state visit to Brazil,” she confirmed.
Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture, Marion Moon, added that preparations extend beyond the national level to include states and private sector involvement, with plans to showcase Nigerian states like Kebbi, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Nasarawa and the FCT to Brazilian investors.