Abuja, Nigeria – The Second Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Nana Shettima, on Tuesday hosted the Second Lady of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mrs. Maria Lúcia Alckmin, on a cultural and developmental tour of notable art and social impact institutions in the nation’s capital.
The visit, which forms part of the bilateral engagements during the Brazil-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, featured a stop at the renowned Nike Art Gallery in Abuja, where both dignitaries were treated to an extensive showcase of Nigerian heritage through contemporary and traditional art forms.
While at the gallery, the two second ladies interacted with local artists and artisans, promoting cross-cultural appreciation and strengthening people-to-people ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
Following the gallery tour, the entourage visited the Cowries Microfinance Bank and Cowries Youth Empowerment Initiative — a non-profit organisation committed to financial inclusion and vocational skills development, particularly for women and youth in underserved communities.
In her remarks, Mrs. Maria Lúcia Alckmin expressed admiration for the richness of Nigeria’s cultural expressions and commended the country’s efforts in advancing grassroots empowerment. She noted that Brazil was open to deepening cooperation in arts, women development, and social enterprise initiatives.
Hajiya Nana Shettima, in her response, highlighted the importance of mutual collaboration between both countries, especially in advancing the welfare of women and youth through creative industries and sustainable development programmes.
The cultural exchange reflects the broader objectives of the Nigeria-Brazil partnership, which includes engagements in trade, investment, agriculture, education, and culture.
The visit concluded with an exchange of symbolic gifts and a renewed commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation through shared values and mutual respect.
