President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s transformation through technology, food security, and global partnerships, as he engaged with Nigerians living in Brazil during his state visit to the South American nation.
The President, who met with members of the diaspora community on Tuesday, described the visit as a strategic step to strengthen Nigeria–Brazil relations and to learn from Brazil’s successful development path.
He noted that both countries once shared similar economic starting points, but Brazil has since made significant progress in areas such as agriculture and technology.
Tinubu stressed that Nigeria has the resources, talent, and youthful population needed to achieve comparable success, adding that reforms currently being implemented at home are designed to secure long-term prosperity despite their short-term hardship.
He commended the Nigerian diaspora in Brazil for their resilience, achievements, and contributions to national development, urging them to remain active partners in building a stronger Nigeria.
He highlighted their potential role in promoting innovation, culture, and investment flows back into the country.
The President also used the occasion to express support for upcoming cultural initiatives, including a voyage linked to Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, describing it as a symbol of Nigeria’s enduring creativity and global relevance.
Responding to concerns from diaspora members about expanding consular services in Brazil, Tinubu explained that his government is carefully managing limited resources to sustain foreign missions while prioritising efficiency.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian community in Brazil, Chika Emmanuel, commended the President’s outreach, noting the growing number of Nigerian scholars in the country and pledging the diaspora’s support in advancing education, agriculture, infrastructure, and investment ties with Nigeria.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was part of the delegation, described the engagement as historic, citing centuries-old cultural and migratory ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
He stressed that renewed bilateral cooperation would strengthen not only diplomatic relations but also cultural and economic exchanges.
The meeting marked a major step in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to deepen ties with Brazil while mobilising its diaspora as key stakeholders in the nation’s transformation agenda.
