President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a compelling address at the BRICS Summit held in Brazil, where he underscored the urgent need for deeper cooperation among nations of the Global South. The Nigerian leader, who was attending the high-level forum alongside heads of state and key economic players from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, urged member countries to embrace a more inclusive global order driven by equity, shared prosperity, and mutual respect.
In his speech, President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to a multilateral platform that champions fair trade, south-south partnerships, and reforms in global financial institutions. He noted that the current global economic structure continues to marginalize developing countries and called for a recalibration that allows emerging economies to play a more significant role in shaping international policy.
Highlighting Nigeria’s vast human capital, strategic location, and expanding economy, the president made a case for stronger integration between Africa and BRICS economies, especially in areas such as technology transfer, energy development, infrastructure financing, and food security. He reiterated that the continent must no longer be seen as a site of aid and charity, but as a partner for global growth and innovation.
President Tinubu also seized the opportunity to advocate for peace, stability, and collaborative action in addressing climate change, poverty, and conflict across the developing world. He warned that geopolitical tensions and unilateral economic decisions by dominant powers threaten the balance of international relations, and stressed the importance of multilateral diplomacy in resolving global challenges.
The BRICS Summit, which brought together leaders, ministers, and top business executives from across the world, focused on reimagining global economic governance and exploring ways to reduce dependence on Western-dominated institutions. Nigeria’s presence at the summit is seen as a strategic step under Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda to reposition the country as a key player in global south cooperation and economic diplomacy.
As conversations around expanding BRICS to include more nations gather momentum, Tinubu’s participation signals Nigeria’s interest in aligning with platforms that prioritize equitable development and amplify the voice of emerging economies on the global stage.
