Published May 15, 2025
By Obaro Becky
Brazil’s state oil company, Petrobras, is seeking to re-enter Nigeria’s oil sector, with a specific interest in frontier deepwater acreage.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said in a Wednesday statement that the company, which had previously wound down its operations at Nigeria’s Agbami field, is now actively engaging with Nigerian authorities as part of broader efforts to revitalise bilateral cooperation ahead of the 2025 Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.
This development emerged during Wednesday’s interministerial review meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, which aimed to coordinate Nigeria’s preparations for the second session of the SDM scheduled for June 2025.
Shettima described the presence of six ministers and the Solicitor-General of the Federation at the review meeting as a reflection of the importance attached to Nigeria’s relationship with Brazil.
“We have not maximally capitalised on the fraternity between us and Brazil, but it is better late than never. The upcoming SDM presents an opportunity to execute sector-specific Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and unlock investment flows,” he stated.
The Vice President particularly noted that 2025 represents a critical moment for Nigeria-Brazil relations, emphasising that the convergence of international events provides Nigeria a unique opportunity to advance its interests globally.
“This year is our moment of interface with Brazil. Brazil is hosting numerous global events this year, from the BRICS Summit to the G20 Summit and COP30. This convergence provides us with a unique opportunity to advance our interests on the global stage,” the Vice President added.
He also commended the ministers for their passion and commitment in pursuing Nigeria’s national interests, noting that “there is a sea change in our attitude, disposition, and commitment.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed ongoing engagements with Petrobras, stating: “Apart from ethanol, which they hope to engage NNPCL for blending, Petrobras is also being actively engaged, and we expect they will form part of the delegation to Nigeria. Petrobras is no longer active in Nigeria, but they are very keen on returning.
They have expressed interest in frontier acreage in deep waters.”
Tuggar further reported that Brazil’s preparations for the dialogue are well advanced, with both government agencies and private sector players being actively engaged by the Brazilian Vice President.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is coordinating the interministerial working groups, has compiled at least 12 draft MOUs pending approval from the Ministry of Justice. These cover areas such as energy, health, culture, and agriculture.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, emphasised the historical and ancestral connections between Nigeria and Brazil, noting that a significant percentage of Brazilians trace their roots to Nigeria.
“We must not only preserve this relationship but deepen it. We’ve finalised MOUs with the Nigerian Film Corporation on audiovisual co-productions, the National Gallery of Arts for joint exhibitions, and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation ahead of FESTAC at 50 next year,” Musawa said.
Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari outlined completed MOUs focused on research collaborations, “We have finalised MOUs that focus on research in three areas: soybean value chain development, cassava research and technology transfer, and agro-forestry systems, which promote integrated crop and livestock models, erosion control, and climate adaptation,” he said.
The minister noted that these efforts build upon the previously signed Green Imperative Project (GIP) agreement between Nigeria and Brazil.
Also, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, pointed to Brazil’s achievements in universal health coverage as a model for Nigeria.
“There are important opportunities in several areas in our efforts to achieve universal health coverage and primary healthcare. Brazil has accomplished much that we can learn from. Knowledge sharing, workforce development, and human capital training in specialised areas present significant opportunities,” he stated.
Pate added, “We see potential for collaboration in pharmaceutical research, local drug manufacturing, and workforce training. Brazil’s experience in addressing tropical and sub-tropical diseases makes it an ideal partner for joint research and development.”
