Lagos: The Nigeria Association of National Professional Footballers (NANPF) has expressed approval for President Bola Tinubu’s signing of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil. This agreement, formalized during Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil, is anticipated to enhance air travel and foster sporting and professional exchanges between the two nations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, CSP Chijioke Kalu, Director of Players’ Safety and Security for NANPF, highlighted the potential impact of the agreement on Nigerian football. Kalu emphasized that collaboration with Brazilian and South American football clubs could transform the Nigerian football landscape through player exchange, technical partnerships, and increased competitive exposure for Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs.
Kalu acknowledged Brazil’s esteemed position in global football, having produced legendary players such as Pel©, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar, and having secured five FIFA World Cup titles. He pointed out that Brazil’s experience in hosting major events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics provides valuable lessons for Nigeria in terms of football infrastructure and stadium safety.
He also noted that Brazil’s proficiency in facility maintenance and crowd control management stands to benefit Nigerian football administrators and the NPFL. Kalu urged the NPFL, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and other leagues to swiftly engage with the opportunities presented by the aviation agreement.
President Tinubu confirmed the accord on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle following his visits to Japan and Brazil. He remarked that the agreement supports his administration’s objectives of restoring Nigeria’s global reputation and implementing reforms. Tinubu mentioned that while the Japan trip focused on technology and industry, the visit to Brazil opened avenues for cooperation in aviation, trade, and sports.
Kalu, who also serves as a board member of the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation, pointed out that the benefits extend beyond football to other sports as well. He highlighted Brazil’s leadership in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts as presenting opportunities for Nigerian athletes and coaches to access Brazilian training camps, participate in coaching exchanges, and compete on an international level.
He advised sports authorities to incorporate martial arts into future exchange programs with Brazil and to draw lessons from Brazil’s successful sports infrastructure and training systems to bolster Nigeria’s sports sector. Kalu praised Brazil’s global sports leadership, achieved through leveraging expertise in football and combat sports, and described the Nigeria-Brazil aviation deal as a strategic opportunity for long-term development and international sports diplomacy.
Kalu concluded by stating that with proper planning, the agreement could unlock career paths, elevate standards, and provide enduring value for Nigerian sports.