Tinubu to Present Nigeria’s Economic Reforms at BRICS Summit in Brazil

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government, where he will deliver a keynote address focused on Nigeria’s economic reforms and its efforts to enhance global competitiveness.

The summit, taking place on July 6 and 7 in Rio de Janeiro, brings together leaders from the expanded BRICS bloc: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly admitted members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria.

President Tinubu landed at Galeão Air Force Base at 8:45 p.m. local time on Friday. He was welcomed with full military honors coordinated by the base commander and received by Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, along with Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture.

According to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two presidents are scheduled to meet bilaterally on Saturday ahead of the main sessions.

During the summit’s plenary, Tinubu will present Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, emphasizing initiatives to stabilize the macroeconomic environment, attract foreign investment, and drive growth in sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and renewable energy.

“President Tinubu will deliver an address on Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness,” Onanuga stated.

The president is also expected to meet with global investors and development partners to promote Nigeria’s investment potential and deepen economic ties within the BRICS network.

This year’s summit is themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” Key agenda items include climate change, artificial intelligence governance, health equity, and reform of multilateral institutions.

Ahead of the leaders’ meetings, BRICS political negotiators convened to align positions on tackling socially determined diseases, enhancing frameworks for AI governance, and scaling up climate finance—core priorities for the Global South.

Nigeria formally joined BRICS as a partner nation in January 2025, marking a pivotal moment in its foreign policy and multilateral engagement strategy.

The expanded BRICS bloc now represents nearly half of the global population and accounts for around 40% of global GDP, cementing its role as a major force in global economic and political affairs.

In April, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the bloc at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

“Nigeria supports BRICS’ mission to establish a fairer, rules-based international order,” Tuggar said, reaffirming the country’s alignment with the bloc’s vision for global financial reform and multilateral cooperation.