President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday declared that corruption has been eradicated in Nigeria, attributing the achievement to the sweeping reforms introduced by his administration.

Tinubu made the remarks in Brasilia during a two-day State Visit to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both leaders witnessed the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across key sectors.

“The reforms I embarked upon since I assumed office have been impactful. Though painful at the beginning, the results are now blossoming,” Tinubu said. “We have more resources for the economy, and there is no more corruption. The Central Bank of Nigeria has been repositioned, and access to foreign exchange is transparent. Speculators are out, and our currency market is now open for businesses.”

President Lula, in his remarks, described the renewed Nigeria–Brazil engagement as timely, particularly at a period of rising global protectionism. “At a time when protectionism and unilateralism have returned, Nigeria and Brazil reaffirm their bet on free trade and productive integration. We continue to dedicate ourselves to building a world of peace, free from hegemonic impositions,” Lula said.

The agreements signed in Brasilia covered bilateral air services, diplomatic training and political consultations, collaboration in science, technology and innovation, as well as trade and investment promotion with a focus on agriculture. Signatories included Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji; and Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, alongside their Brazilian counterparts.

Brazil is currently Nigeria’s 49th largest export destination, with trade between both nations reaching $2.1 billion in 2024.

Tinubu rounded off his engagements with a state luncheon hosted in his honour at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia.