ABUJA — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, has reaffirmed the strong cultural and historical ties binding Nigeria and Brazil, describing the two nations as “natural allies with shared values and aspirations.”
She made this statement on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, during a courtesy meeting with Maria Lúcia Alckmin, the wife of the Brazilian Vice President, who is currently in Nigeria as part of a high-level bilateral visit aimed at deepening strategic partnerships across key sectors.
Welcoming the visiting Second Lady and her delegation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nana Shettima noted that both countries share a long-standing connection rooted in language, food, religion, and heritage, dating back centuries through the African diaspora, especially in the Brazilian state of Bahia.
“Nigeria and Brazil are bonded by more than diplomacy; we are connected by our people, by our music, by our traditions,” she said. “This meeting is a reminder that beyond politics and economics, there is a human story that continues to link our two great nations.”
She highlighted the role of women in building bridges across borders and called for increased collaboration in areas such as women empowerment, maternal and child health, education, and cultural exchange.
Maria Lúcia Alckmin, visibly moved by the warm reception, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government and people for their hospitality. She acknowledged the strong Afro-Brazilian roots that define Brazil’s culture and expressed Brazil’s interest in working more closely with Nigeria on social development and heritage preservation initiatives.
“We carry Nigeria in our DNA,” she said. “This visit is not just diplomatic—it is emotional. I believe women in both countries can lead a new era of cultural diplomacy and social inclusion.”
The meeting also explored the potential for cultural festivals, youth exchange programmes, and joint initiatives on family health and education—areas that both first families pledged to support.
Also present at the gathering were officials from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Nigerian-Brazilian cultural ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The visit by the Brazilian Second Lady is part of a broader strategic engagement between Nigeria and Brazil, coinciding with the Brazilian Vice President’s bilateral meetings with Nigerian leadership on trade, health, and investment.
