President Bola Tinubu has defended his recent foreign trips, saying they are part of his efforts to restore Nigeria’s pride and dignity in line with the mandate he received from Nigerians in 2023.
In a post on his X handle after returning from visits to Japan and Brazil, the President said: “Every handshake, every agreement, and every meeting is guided by one goal: to secure opportunities that translate into growth, jobs, and prosperity for Nigerians.”
Tinubu said it felt good to be back home after the engagements, stressing that his mission is to build “a Nigeria that is confident abroad and resilient at home.”
“In Japan, we deepened ties that will bring new investments in industry, technology, and human capital. In Brazil, we advanced partnerships in trade, agriculture, aviation, and finance, while also engaging with our own business leaders to strengthen confidence in our economy,” he said.
The President noted that Nigeria signed five memoranda of understanding during the visits, including a bilateral air services agreement (BASA) with Brazil.
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“This is the new Nigeria we are building together, a Nigeria built on sustainable reforms that will outlast us rather than one built on rhetoric,” he said.
Air Peace chief executive officer Allen Onyema applauded the BASA agreement, describing it as “a milestone achievement” of the Tinubu administration. He said the airline would commence three weekly flights between Nigeria and Brazil in November, with plans to expand operations to Lagos, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
“Most of his trips abroad have started paying dividends for the good of our nation,” Onyema said.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris also commended the agreement, noting that it would boost business relations and serve Nigeria’s large diaspora community in Brazil. He recalled that Tinubu’s latest engagement with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the fourth meeting between the two leaders since 2023.
In Japan, Tinubu signed agreements aimed at strengthening trade relations worth over $1 billion annually.
“The journey is not without challenges, but with unity of purpose and courage to reform, I firmly believe the best is on the horizon,” the President added.
