From Victor Osula, Abuja
Nigeria has called on the BRICS bloc to lead a fundamental rethink of the global governance architecture and international financial system, declaring that the rules governing the world order must be rewritten to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.
President Bola Tinubu made the call on Sunday while addressing the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the summit.
Tinubu said Nigeria was seeking a more representative, equitable and responsive global system in which developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, have greater influence.
He specifically called for reforms of the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions, saying the existing global architecture does not adequately reflect the changing distribution of economic power and population across the world.
“Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system.
BRICS amplifies the voice of the Global South and advances a more inclusive international order, consistent with Nigeria’s call for institutions that reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities,” the President said.
Tinubu also urged BRICS to match its growing geopolitical and economic influence with concrete development results, warning against an approach that leaves summit declarations and commitments without corresponding implementation.
He made Nigeria’s case for “a BRICS partnership that moves from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation, and from cooperation to measurable development outcomes.”
According to him, BRICS cooperation should translate into tangible gains for participating countries through increased trade, investment, technology transfer, industrialisation and stronger productive capacity.
The President said Nigeria was particularly interested in partnerships covering trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals.
“We welcome BRICS cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals, especially partnerships that advance technology transfer, local value addition, industrial capacity and employment,” he said.
Nigeria also used the summit to make a fresh investment pitch for the country, urging international investors to take advantage of its strategic position and enormous market opportunities.
Tinubu presented Nigeria as a gateway to the continent’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which provides a framework for greater intra-African trade and economic integration.
The President urged BRICS countries and businesses to view Nigeria not simply as a large national market but as a strategic platform from which investors can access wider African opportunities.
He said his administration’s economic resilience strategy was aimed at building an economy capable of absorbing global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.
According to him, the strategy is being implemented through the Renewed Hope Agenda, with emphasis on macroeconomic stability, diversification of production, increased productivity, infrastructure development, human-capital development, investment attraction, private-sector-led growth and climate resilience.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s engagement with BRICS was therefore intended to secure practical partnerships that would strengthen domestic productive capacity rather than simply increase foreign trade.
The President also placed Nigeria’s youthful population at the centre of his economic pitch, describing the creativity and enterprise of young Nigerians as major assets capable of driving innovation and economic transformation.
He identified digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-driven businesses as priority areas requiring increased investment.
Tinubu cited initiatives including 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national AI programmes as part of efforts by his administration to expand Nigeria’s technological and digital capabilities.
He called for deeper BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
“We welcome deeper BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing, because developing countries must produce technology, create knowledge and own intellectual property.
“A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future,” he said.
The President said Nigeria viewed its partnership with BRICS as an opportunity to deepen trade, attract investment, accelerate technology transfer and strengthen human-capital development.
He said the country was open to partnerships in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and industrialisation, particularly where such partnerships were backed by development finance.
Tinubu also highlighted Project BRIDGE, saying its expansion of broadband, fibre infrastructure and digital public services would support Nigeria’s ambition to build an open, secure and inclusive digital ecosystem.
According to him, Nigeria wants cooperation that advances innovation, digital trade, responsible artificial intelligence and cybersecurity while ensuring that Nigerians participate meaningfully in the ownership and development of new technologies.
The President further called for stronger cooperation between BRICS countries on climate action, while insisting that environmental policies must not undermine the development needs of emerging economies.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for affordable climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building for Africa.
Tinubu identified renewable energy, gas, clean technologies, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable infrastructure and responsible development of critical minerals as areas where Nigeria could deepen cooperation with BRICS countries.
He argued that climate partnerships should simultaneously address environmental challenges and create opportunities for economic growth, employment and industrial development.
The President said Nigeria was ready to contribute to a BRICS partnership capable of responding effectively to global shocks, embracing technological change, promoting shared prosperity and protecting future generations.
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who opened the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, said the bloc had gained greater confidence among countries of the Global South because their voices were being heard and their experiences respected.
Modi said BRICS was developing solutions with countries rather than for them, describing the diversity of the bloc as one of its major strengths.
“We may be rooted in different realities, but together, we rise through cooperation and blossom for humanity,” he said.
The Indian Prime Minister highlighted initiatives including BRICS CONNECT, the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal and the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub, saying they were designed to promote skills development, employment, enterprise growth and knowledge-sharing among member and partner countries.
He also stressed the importance of balancing economic development with environmental responsibility, saying sustainability must remain central to BRICS cooperation and efforts to protect the interests of future generations.
