• Backs Soyinka-led voyage of return from Brazil to Nigeria
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Brasilia, Brazil
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to fast-track Nigeria’s development through technology and food security, drawing direct inspiration from Brazil’s success models and tasking Nigerians in the diaspora with transformative nation-building.
He said this during an event with the Nigerian residents in Brazil. He outlined his vision for a digitally advanced, prosperous and united Nigeria, emphasizing reform, innovation and global partnerships as engines for inclusive growth.
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He pledged tech-led growth, food security and urged the diaspora to build Nigeria’s future. “We must bring Nigeria to the forefront of Africa’s progress, driven by technology, food sovereignty and the courage to change our destiny. Once upon a time, Nigeria and Brazil stood on the same level. Look at Brazil today, its technology and its food systems. We must ask ourselves: what do they have that we don’t?” he stated.
President Tinubu noted that Nigerians possess the brains, the energy, and the youth to replicate Brazil’s success, insisting, “We have everything we need. Now, we must act.”
He commended advances in passport and immigration digitalisation. “Today, I’m very proud of the efficiency and effectiveness of our passport linear digitalisation.”
Stressing the importance of unity and adoption of technology, he told the diaspora, “You are the pride of our nation. Your diversity and commitment reflect the Nigeria we are working to build. I salute you all.”
He acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by his administration’s reforms. “Yes, the reforms are tough, like bitter medicine but once the fever is gone, you know the cure was worth it.” He assured that the steps are crucial for long-term stability and prosperity.
President Tinubu also voiced his support for a forthcoming voyage from Brazil to Badagry in Nigeria slated for November 2026, involving Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka; a project echoing a cultural initiative he launched as Lagos State Governor. “If Wole Soyinka, at over 90, can still dream and act, then we have no excuse. The dream must be realised. The time is now,” he affirmed, highlighting the importance of vision and perseverance in national renewal.
Reviewing diplomatic advances, Tinubu remarked that his administration was laying the groundwork for global partnerships that could unlock Nigeria’s potential in manufacturing, technology and cultural exchange.
He urged Nigerians, at home and abroad, to foster unity, peace, and passion to develop a Nigeria everybody could truly be proud to call home.
Addressing calls for expanded consular services in São Paulo and other cities, he urged patience, explaining that resources were being carefully managed to uphold efficient foreign missions.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, called the meeting a moment of great historical significance, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s engagement with its global community. Abbas praised President Tinubu’s diplomatic and cultural initiatives, stating, “The Brazilian-Nigerian friendship, which Mr. President has in no small way strengthened within the last two years, and is going to be something that the whole of us will be very proud of.” He expressed hope that upcoming projects would write Nigeria and Brazil’s names in gold.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State lauded Tinubu’s reforms for transforming Nigeria’s investment climate. “In the past, it was almost impossible to convince any investor to come to Nigeria, but just last year, Mr. President cleared a $7 billion forex backlog, a major intervention.”
He highlighted how Nigeria now enables investors to bring in capital and repatriate profits without facing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles or foreign exchange crises, crediting transparent financial systems and unified exchange rates for the growing investors’ confidence.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has credited the country’s rapid transformation over the past two years to decisive leadership and a series of sweeping reforms spearheaded by President Tinubu. He highlighted reforms extending from subsidy removal and the unification of foreign exchange to education and livestock management, emphasizing the unprecedented changes taking place across sectors.
“All these things have happened because of one single factor,” Idris stated. “Throughout the history of any organised society, the power to change the course of mankind has always been vested in the leaders, and that is what we are seeing here today. In just two years, everything that has happened in Nigeria, from the major reforms that the President has instituted, removal of subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange, and all the other reforms, Mr. President was insistent because he knew the direction that he was going.
We have a tax regime that will help all the reform programmes of Mr. President in Nigeria.” Idris cited significant strides in education access, noting, “Our children are unable to go to school on account of the fact that their parents or their guardians are only able to pay for their school fees is no longer the case. As we speak, over N90 billion has already been committed to that. Students are no longer going out of school simply on account of the inability of their parents or guardians to pay for their school fees or for their home care. I think this is very important. From north to south, east to west, nobody… Once you are able to go to school, you will be able to go to school today. This is unprecedented. It has never happened in the history of our country.”
On economic restructuring and the livestock sector, Idris remarked: “My brothers and sisters in the northern part of the country, before now the livestock ministry was just a unit under the Ministry of Agriculture. Today, Mr. President has brought that to life.”
Addressing Nigeria’s growing international profile and historical connection to Brazil, Idris said: “Only yesterday (Monday) we had the bilateral air services agreement linking this part of the world, Brazil and Nigeria. So, the president said that it was possible to swim from here across the Atlantic. We are not even waiting for that regatta to happen. To do something with the cargo, Nigeria has changed. It is the only Nigeria of yesteryears. This is it. You have a destination for everyone. Nigeria is now a darling of everyone. Everyone wants to come to Nigeria. And I’m happy that our brothers and sisters in Brazil are not being left behind. Like President Lula said, it’s not just for the economy. It’s not just for financial re-engineering. It is also the connection of history, culture, tradition, and common heritage and humanity that all of us have to have.”
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged Nigerians residing in São Paulo and surrounding areas to continue utilising the existing liaison office until necessary upgrades were implemented to address their pressing needs.
Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (Brazil), Chuka Emmanuel, commended Tinubu’s efforts in strengthening ties with Brazil and pledged active support for development. “Here, through the diaspora, we would like to be a channel to this national development. We have been doing that for quite some time now in the area of agriculture, infrastructure and of course, looking for direct investment back home,” he said.
Notably, Emmanuel spotlighted a surge in Nigerian postgraduate scholars in Brazil, “In one year and a half since after my election, we had three PhD students at that time. And right now, in one year and a half, we have 296 here in Brazil. And all are on scholarships, sir.”
He emphasised the need to invest in human capital so that the younger generation can return home and participate.
The meeting, anchored by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission boss, Abike Dabiri, was attended by top officials, including Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
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