President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday declared that there no more corruption in Nigeria, crediting his administration’s reforms for ushering in what he described as a new era of accountability and transparency.
Tinubu made the remarks in Brasilia during a two-day State Visit to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where both countries signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
“The reforms I embarked upon since I assumed office have been impactful. Though painful at the beginning, the results are now blossoming,” Tinubu said. “We have more resources for the economy, and there is no more corruption. The Central Bank of Nigeria has been repositioned, and access to foreign exchange is transparent. Speculators are out, and our currency market is now open for businesses.”
In his remarks, President Lula described the renewed Nigeria–Brazil engagement as timely, stressing that the partnership was vital in an era of growing global protectionism. According to him, “At a time when protectionism and unilateralism have returned, Nigeria and Brazil reaffirm their bet on free trade and productive integration. We continue to dedicate ourselves to building a world of peace, free from hegemonic impositions.”
The agreements signed in Brasilia covered key areas of cooperation, including a bilateral air services agreement, diplomatic training and political consultations, collaboration in science, technology and innovation, as well as trade and investment promotion with a focus on agriculture. Signatories included Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji; and Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, alongside their Brazilian counterparts.
Nigeria is currently Brazil’s 49th largest export destination, with trade between the two countries reaching $2.1 billion in 2024.
Following the signing of the agreements, President Tinubu attended a state luncheon hosted in his honour at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia.
