The Nigeria Association of National Professional Footballers (NANPF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil, a move expected to significantly enhance air travel between the two countries and unlock wide-ranging opportunities for Nigerian sports professionals.
The Nigerian leader, in a post on his official X handle, confirmed the BASA deal following his visits to Japan and Brazil. He described the agreement as part of his administration’s broader agenda to restore Nigeria’s pride and relevance on the global stage.
NANPF’s Director of Players’ Safety and Security, CSP Chijioke Kalu Erem, said the agreement, signed during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil, could revolutionise Nigerian football through strengthened collaboration with Brazilian and South American football institutions.
Kalu said the deal will not only improve connectivity but will facilitate player exchange, technical partnerships and boost greater competitive exposure for clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
According to Kalu, Brazilian football enjoys global prestige with a legacy of producing legends such as the legendary Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar and has seen the global and South American football powerhouse win five FIFA World Cup titles.
He urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the NPFL to seize the momentum and activate the agreement’s full potential, adding that Brazil’s experience as host of major global tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic,s provides a wealth of knowledge Nigeria can tap into.
Kalu, who also serves as a board member of the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation, stated that the deal could enable Nigerian fighters and coaches to access elite training centres, participate in coaching exchanges and compete in international Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournaments.
He said, “Brazil has extensive expertise in facility safety, stadium maintenance and crowd control management at football venues. These are areas the NPFL and Nigerian sports administrators must prioritise and partnerships with Brazil can accelerate that process.”
“Proactive engagement with Brazilian football bodies could pave the way for youth development programmes, joint training camps, friendlies, and scouting exchanges. Brazil has successfully leveraged its sports culture and expertise to become a global leader not only in football but also in combat sports. Nigeria can learn from this blueprint to develop its local sports ecosystem.
“With coordinated planning and stakeholder commitment, this agreement can uplift Nigerian sports, create global career opportunities for athletes and build a framework for sustained sports diplomacy.”
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