Reactions have continued to trail the deal signed between the Nigerian government and the Brazilian government for Nigeria’s Air Peace to begin a direct flight from Lagos to the Brazilian city of São Paulo.
While commending the deal, many Nigerian tweeps have taken to social media to remind President Bola Tinubu’s administration that the current security and economic realities in Nigeria have rendered such a deal almost invalid, as what Nigerians really need is adequate security and economic emancipation.
According to Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter), the current heightened hardship in Nigeria has made it hard for many Nigerians to travel abroad, as many are struggling to afford daily meals.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday, announced that Air Peace will soon begin a direct flight from Lagos to the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo following an agreement signed with the Brazilian government.
According to Onanuga, the direct flight was one of the agreements reached between President Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during President Tinubu's state visit to Brazil.
“Increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies,” the statement quoted President Lula as saying.
“We have approved the launch of a direct flight, to be operated by Nigeria’s largest airline company, Air Peace, between Lagos and São Paulo.”
The agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília in the presence of President Tinubu and President Lula.
Also, the statement noted that Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil's Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to boost trade and people-to-people ties.
But reacting to the Air Peace direct flight to Brazil deal, an X user, @ImpactLegal007, said that a vast majority of Nigerians don't fly, stressing that Nigerians need security and economic emancipation at this time.
“While making other countries easily accessible to Nigerians is commendable: A vast majority of Nigerians don't fly,” @ImpactLegal007 wrote.
“We need security and economic emancipation at this time. The top priority for the Government of the day.”
Amongst other reactions is another X user, @RAREBREEDII, who asked, “How many Nigerians often travel to Brazil?”
@AlobeTunde wrote, “These people don't take us seriously because they are aware of all the shenanigans going on in our country.
“Until we put our house in order, nothing tangible will come from these diplomatic shows.”
Also, @foundationconc2, who described the deal as propaganda, wrote, “If Tinubu wants genuine credit, let him deliver tangible outcomes: lower airfare costs for Nigerians; actual technology transfer from Brazil; real investment in agriculture and energy that reduces hunger and fuel dependency.
“Finally, let’s be honest: Brazil and Nigeria are natural partners, both being giant democracies of the Global South with shared histories and challenges. Strengthening relations is a good step.
“Secondly, the MOUs signed sound impressive on paper—aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, innovation, trade—but Nigerians know the truth: 99% of government MOUs die on arrival. What matters is execution, not photo-ops at the Palácio do Planalto. We’ve seen countless MOUs.”
In another post, @foundationconc2 wrote, “First, let’s deal with the headline: ‘Air Peace to begin direct flight from Lagos to São Paulo’.
“This is not an achievement of Tinubu’s diplomacy. Air Peace is a private Nigerian company that has always pursued international routes aggressively: from Lagos to London, Jeddah, Johannesburg, and now São Paulo.
“The role of government here is limited to facilitating the bilateral air services agreement (BASA), something every government does as a matter of routine. Turning that into a “presidential feat” is pure propaganda.
“@aonanuga1956 narrative is an attempt to dress up a routine diplomatic engagement as a transformational win.
“Meanwhile, back home, citizens can’t even afford the air tickets, let alone benefit from flights to Brazil.
“The Tinubu administration is desperate to distract Nigerians from the economic hardship at home—skyrocketing inflation, unaffordable food, collapsing naira, and crippling fuel prices.”
However, another X user, @IykeEz2, said, “The Lagos–São Paulo direct flight is a concrete win: it will cut travel time, ease business trips, and strengthen Nigeria–Brazil trade.
“The bilateral air services agreement gives Air Peace the legal framework to operate the route.
“The MoUs on biotech, agriculture, and innovation create opportunities for Nigerian farmers and researchers to access Brazilian expertise in agribusiness and bioeconomy.
“The Bank of Agriculture–BNDES partnership could unlock new credit lines for mechanised farming.
“However, the real measure will be implementation.
“Nigerians will judge success not by signing ceremonies, but by whether planes actually start flying, farmers get financing, and joint research delivers products.
“Without execution, it risks being another unfulfilled diplomatic announcement.”
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