~Makes Historic Debut as Official BRICS Partner Nation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a bold restructuring of global governance, financial architecture, and healthcare systems to create a more equitable world for emerging economies—particularly in Africa.
Speaking on Saturday at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tinubu emphasized that systemic inequalities, environmental degradation, and climate change continue to disproportionately hinder development in the Global South.
Invited by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Tinubu represented Nigeria for the first time at the high-level gathering, following Nigeria’s formal recognition in January 2025 as one of nine new BRICS partner countries. The expanded group now includes Nigeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, alongside the original BRICS members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
“Nigeria associates with the shared vision and outcomes of this summit,” Tinubu declared. “The next frontier is the restructuring of the global financial architecture and a reevaluation of governance systems that have long excluded the voices of emerging economies.”
President Tinubu drew global attention to Africa’s marginal contribution to climate change in contrast to the severe impacts it endures. He called for a new framework of justice that champions sustainable technology transfer, debt relief, and climate finance.
“Africa contributes the least to global emissions, yet we face the harshest consequences of the climate crisis. We demand a new path of justice,” he said.
He spotlighted Nigeria’s commitment to green development through initiatives like the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall project, while expressing hope that the upcoming COP-30 summit would reignite collective climate action.
On healthcare, Tinubu urged BRICS countries to view non-communicable diseases as a shared global threat, stressing the need for resilient and inclusive health reforms.
“We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs of our youthful population, which makes up 70% of Nigeria,” he stated. “We are advancing climate action, renewable energy, nature-based solutions, and universal health coverage.”
The Nigerian leader reaffirmed the country’s dedication to South-South collaboration and called on developing nations to take stronger ownership of decisions affecting climate, healthcare, youth empowerment, and economic reform.
“As we approach COP-30, BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon of emerging solutions based on solidarity, self-reliance, and shared prosperity,” Tinubu concluded.
President Tinubu was accompanied by key members of his administration, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and Minister of Finance Mr. Wale Edun.
Brazil, which currently holds the rotating BRICS presidency, announced Nigeria’s admission to the group on January 17, 2025. With a population exceeding 220 million, Nigeria is now positioned as a major voice in the global push for equitable development and inclusive international governance.
