In August 2025, President Bola Tinubu undertook a state visit to Brazil where Nigeria and Brazil signed five key Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, aviation, science and technology, diplomacy, and agriculture. That historic visit rekindled bilateral ties between the two nations, opening new opportunities for collaboration in food security, research, and sustainable development.

One of the visible fruits of this renewed partnership was witnessed on Thursday, September 25, 2025, when the Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF) hosted Dr. Juliana Carrijo Mauad (Associate Professor, General Coordinator of the CDR Project and Rural Innovation & Education HUB) from Brazil and Dr. Foluke Areola, President of the World Aquaculture Society, on a technical visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

The visit began with a warm welcome address by PiLAF’s Principal Investigator, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, alongside Prof. Adegbenga Adekoya and Prof. Olusanya Olubusoye, as they expressed delight in receiving the distinguished guests. This was followed by an introduction to PiLAF’s mission and impact by Dr. Benjamin Oyelami, the Communication Manager, and a presentation from Prof. Olutokunbo Oyesola on aquaculture interventions the experts from PiLAF have undertaken and areas requiring greater attention for national development.

Dr. Juliana Mauad then gave an insightful presentation on Brazil’s experience in family farming, bioeconomy, and social innovation, drawing from more than twelve years of work with rural farming settlements. Her session generated an engaging discussion on youth participation in aquaculture, rural transformation, and the role of international collaboration in driving sustainable solutions.

In recognition of their contributions, the Principal Investigator of PiLAF, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, presented gifts to Dr. Maud and Dr. Areola on behalf of PiLAF. The delegation later visited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, World Fish Nigeria, a local fish farm cluster, and the Rahama Fish Processing Market, all of which provided further insight into the dynamism and potential of Nigeria’s aquaculture sector and possible areas of collaboration.

The presence of senior PiLAF officials, including Dr. OreOluwa Akano, Mr. Iredele Ogunbayo, the administrative manager and other dedicated staff, underscored the institution’s readiness to foster meaningful partnerships. More importantly, the visit demonstrated how high-level diplomacy, such as President Tinubu’s engagement in Brazil, can translate into practical outcomes that strengthen research institutions, empower local communities, and enhance food systems.

PiLAF remains committed to bridging policy and practice, deepening international collaboration, and advancing Nigeria’s agricultural development agenda. The technical visit by the World Aquaculture Society delegation is therefore not just an institutional exchange, but a powerful reminder that when diplomacy meets research and innovation, the results can be transformative for national and regional food security.