Rio de janeiro: President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday night to take part in the 17th BRICS Summit. This marks a significant milestone as Nigeria joins the gathering as a ‘partner country’ for the first time.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga detailed that the presidential jet departed from Saint Lucia earlier in the day and landed at the Galeao Air Force Base at approximately 8:45 pm local time. The Nigerian leader was welcomed by Brazilian officials, including the Secretary for Africa and the Middle East and the Secretary for Innovation and Commerce.
The Galeao Air Force Base Commander organized a Guard of Honour for President Tinubu, who was also greeted by Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Amb. Carlos Duarte, and the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture. President Tinubu is attending the summit upon the invitation of President Lula Da Silva.
According to the statement, President Tinubu is scheduled to attend a bilateral meeting hosted by President Lula on Saturday, prior to the main summit events on June 6 and 7. During the BRICS Summit, he will take part in a plenary session and deliver a speech on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at enhancing global competitiveness. He is also set to discuss opportunities in Nigeria’s agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and alternative energy sectors, seeking to attract international investors.
The summit, themed ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,’ will address issues related to health, Artificial Intelligence, governance, and Climate Change. Before the Leaders’ Summit, BRICS political negotiators have been working on aligning commitments to tackle socially determined diseases, AI governance, and climate finance, focusing on finding solutions to structural challenges faced by the Global South.
The statement also notes that State Governors accompanying the President include Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger). President Tinubu is one of four African leaders invited to the summit, joining those from South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, the latter three being full BRICS members.
The News Agency of Nigeria further reports that Nigeria accepted the invitation to become a BRICS partner country in January 2025, following the summit in Kazan, Russia. This partnership allows Nigeria to participate in the bloc’s economic and political initiatives without full membership. The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently expanded in 2024-2025 by adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members and inviting several countries, including Nigeria, as partner countries.