President Bola Tinubu has called for sweeping reforms to the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system, urging BRICS nations to support a more inclusive global order.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday in New Delhi, India, where Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at the 18th BRICS Summit chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The summit, themed Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,”
focused on issues affecting developing economies and the wider Global South.
According to a statement shared on the official X handle of the Government of Nigeria, Tinubu said Nigeria was committed to promoting a global governance structure that better reflected contemporary economic and demographic realities.
He said, “Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system.”
The President described BRICS as an important platform for strengthening the voice of developing nations and advancing a more inclusive international system.
He called for the bloc’s engagement with Nigeria to move beyond discussions and declarations to practical initiatives capable of producing measurable development outcomes.
“Nigeria calls for a BRICS partnership that moves from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation, and from cooperation to measurable development outcomes,” he said.
Tinubu also linked Nigeria’s engagement with BRICS to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying ongoing reforms were aimed at strengthening the economy against global shocks while creating opportunities for citizens.
According to him, the reforms focus on improving macroeconomic stability, diversifying production, increasing productivity, expanding infrastructure and human capital, attracting investment and strengthening climate resilience.
The President further invited BRICS countries and investors to deepen cooperation with Nigeria across strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, food security and critical minerals.
He said partnerships should prioritise technology transfer, local value addition, industrial development and job creation.
Tinubu also positioned Nigeria as a potential gateway to Africa’s growing market through the African Continental Free Trade Area, noting the country’s role in advancing the bloc’s digital trade protocol.
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“We also invite BRICS investors to view Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.
The President placed particular emphasis on Nigeria’s youthful population and the opportunities presented by technology and innovation.
He said investments in digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-enabled businesses were already being pursued through programmes including 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national AI initiatives.
Tinubu called for increased BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
“A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future,” he warned.
He said Nigeria’s partnership with BRICS must ultimately translate into jobs, expanded trade, technological advancement and stronger productive capacity.
“Our partnership must create jobs, expand trade, transport technology and strengthen our nation’s productive capacity,” Tinubu said.
The President added that Nigeria was prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at moving Africa from the margins of global development to the centre of global growth and innovation.
