President Bola Tinubu has emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Brazil, highlighting the $1 billion Green Imperative Programme (GIP) as a transformative initiative to overhaul the nation’s agricultural sector through technology-driven solutions and strategic capacity building.
Speaking on Tuesday evening after receiving the Vice President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, at the State House in Abuja, the President described the programme as a flagship of the growing partnership between the two nations.
In a post on his verified X handle @officialABAT, President Tinubu stated, “The landmark $1 billion Green Imperative Programme, a bilateral agricultural mechanisation initiative anchored by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and private sector stakeholders, stands as a flagship of this renewed partnership”
He explained that the initiative is “designed to transform Nigeria’s agricultural value chain through technology transfer, capacity building, and the establishment of service centres across the country.”
The President, joined by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the high-level meeting, said the visit by the Brazilian delegation signified a shift in relations from mere expressions of goodwill to concrete steps towards shared economic and developmental goals.
According to him: “Our engagement reaffirmed the enduring ties between Nigeria and Brazil, two diverse democracies linked by shared values, historical connections, and a common ambition for inclusive, people-driven growth:.
He outlined several strategic sectors where both nations are aligning efforts, including agribusiness and food security, trade and industrialisation, energy transition, healthcare delivery, innovation, defence cooperation, and cultural exchange.
Projecting, President Tinubu noted that Nigeria is preparing for active participation in the upcoming COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil — another avenue for intensifying collaboration on climate action and sustainability.
“We also look forward to Nigeria’s active participation at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, as both nations work to scale up collaboration on climate action, energy transition, and environmental resilience,” he said.
From renewable energy projects to creative industry partnerships, the President described the renewed relationship as one anchored in shared prosperity and results-driven diplomacy.
“Nigeria remains firmly committed to building resilient South–South partnerships anchored in mutual respect, shared prosperity, and tangible results for our citizens,” the President added.
President Tinubu also sent a message of solidarity in Portuguese, echoing Brazil’s maxim for unity: “As our Brazilian friends say, ‘Juntos somos mais fortes’—together we are stronger.”
Also on Tuesday, wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, has said there is a cultural connection between Nigeria and Brazil, as the two nations are bonded by shared values and traditions despite the distance between them.
Mrs. Shettima stated this while playing host to Second Lady of Brazil, Maria Lúcia Alckmin who is in Nigeria on an official visit with her husband, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.
She highlighted cultural similarities between the two nations saying “Nigeria and Brazil are both known for their warmth, resilience, vibrant music, Afrobeats and Samba, love of football, and colourful festivals”.
Mrs Shettima wished Mrs. Alckmin a memorable stay in Nigeria, expressing hope that the visit would leave her with lasting impressions of Nigerian hospitality.
On her part, Mrs Alckmin shared the story of a women-focused social initiative she launched in 2001 while her husband served as Governor of São Paulo, saying the bread-making project has empowered over 100,000 underprivileged women across 17 Brazilian states, with plans to expand nationwide.
Deji Elumoye
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