President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a bold reevaluation of the global governance structure, financial systems, and healthcare frameworks to ensure fairness, inclusion, and sustainable development for low-income and emerging economies, especially in Africa.
Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit of the Global South and Emerging Economies on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Tinubu said that urgent attention must be given to environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and healthcare disparities — issues that continue to hamper global growth and human development.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s alignment with BRICS’ push for collective and equitable global progress. He was invited to the summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“Nigeria associates with all that has been discussed here. The next urgent priorities are financial restructuring and a reevaluation of the global governance framework,” Tinubu declared.
He stressed that Africa, which contributes the least to global emissions, is the most affected by climate change, calling it a gross injustice that must be corrected through sustainable technology transfer and accessible financing.
Highlighting initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall, Tinubu said Africa is already taking proactive steps toward environmental sustainability and looks forward to COP-30 as an opportunity to reinforce these efforts.
“South-South cooperation must drive decision-making in climate action, debt forgiveness, financial reforms, and healthcare delivery. We cannot be passive participants,” he stated, noting that 70% of Nigeria’s population comprises youth whose future must be prioritized in global policy planning.
Nigeria officially became the ninth BRICS partner country in January 2025, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The partner-country category was introduced at the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to long-term sustainable goals as outlined in its Vision 2050 and nationally determined climate contributions. He highlighted government efforts to expand renewable energy, promote nature-based solutions, build climate-resilient cities, and achieve universal health coverage.
“As we move toward COP-30, BRICS must not just be a bloc of emerging economies, but a beacon of new solutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, and shared prosperity,” he said.
On health, Tinubu stressed that non-communicable diseases must be treated as a global health priority, and he called for a strengthened international health system.
President Tinubu was accompanied by Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance.
With its growing economic influence and population status as the sixth largest in the world, Nigeria is increasingly playing a critical role in shaping South-South cooperation and pushing for reforms in global governance under Brazil’s current BRICS presidency.
