President Bola Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have endorsed the Heritage Voyage of Return (HVR) – a cultural homecoming initiative championed by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, aimed at reconnecting Afro-descendants with their ancestral homeland.
The endorsement came during Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil in August, when both leaders pledged support for the movement. The movement seeks to offer descendants of enslaved Africans in Brazil, the Caribbean, and the Americas a symbolic sea voyage back to Africa as a pathway of dignity, belonging, and spiritual reconnection.
In Brasília, Lula received Soyinka in a symbolic moment that has since resonated across Africa and the diaspora, touching foreheads with the elder statesman and declaring, “The grace on you, I ask it upon myself.” The Brazilian leader went further to affirm his government’s backing for HVR, describing it as a historic opportunity to heal the wounds of the past and build stronger Afro-Brazilian ties.”
The initiative was formally presented at Brazil’s Legislative Chamber, where Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Olayemi Cardoso, himself of Afro-Brazilian descent, joined Soyinka and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in making the case for deeper cultural and economic collaboration between both nations.
Cardoso highlighted Brazil’s enduring cultural footprint in Nigeria, noting the communities in Lagos that still preserve Brazilian-descendant traditions in cuisine, festivals, and architecture. He described HVR as a platform for cultural diplomacy, heritage tourism, and creative economy growth.
Addressing Nigerians and Afro-descendants at a town hall meeting in Brazil, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s full commitment to the project, saying the initiative represents a crucial step in reconnecting Africa’s scattered sons and daughters.
At the heart of the project are Ajoyemi and Carolina Osunleye, founders of The African Pride, the organisation driving HVR. With Soyinka as patron and the endorsement of Tinubu and Lula, the initiative now stands at a defining moment, set to transform cultural tourism and diaspora relations across Africa and South America.
“The Heritage Voyage of Return is not just a journey for individuals; it is a journey of dignity for our collective history,” said Ajoyemi Osunleye. “With the support of President Tinubu and President Lula, Africa is ready to welcome her children back home with pride,” he added.
