President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged BRICS to overhaul global governance and international financial institutions, saying emerging economies need a more representative system that reflects today’s economic and demographic realities.
Tinubu made the call at the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, in an address delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, according to the state house release on Sunday signed by Stanley Nkwocha, media aide to the vice president.
The President also positioned Nigeria as a gateway for investors seeking access to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while calling for deeper BRICS cooperation in technology, finance, infrastructure, energy and other sectors.
“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,” he stated.
Tinubu said Nigeria wants BRICS cooperation to move beyond discussions and commitments to projects that deliver measurable economic benefits.
He called for “a BRICS partnership that moves from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation, and from cooperation to measurable development outcomes.”
The President also invited foreign investors to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria, urging them to view the country “as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
He said Nigeria’s economic resilience strategy is focused on building an economy capable of absorbing global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for its citizens.
According to him, the administration is pursuing this through its Renewed Hope Agenda, with an emphasis on macroeconomic stability, production diversification, productivity, infrastructure, human capital, investment, private-sector-led growth, and climate resilience.
Tinubu said Nigeria welcomed BRICS cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals, particularly partnerships capable of promoting technology transfer, local value addition, industrial capacity and employment.
Tinubu seeks technology partnerships
The President identified Nigeria’s young population as a major economic asset, saying its creativity and enterprise were driving the country’s innovation agenda.
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He highlighted digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-enabled businesses as key areas of investment, citing initiatives including 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national AI programmes.
“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.”
Tinubu said Nigeria viewed BRICS cooperation as an opportunity to expand trade and investment while securing technology transfer and human-capital development.
He also linked Project BRIDGE, which is expanding broadband, fibre and digital public services, to Nigeria’s push for an open, secure and inclusive digital ecosystem supporting innovation, digital trade, responsible artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
On climate change, the President said Nigeria’s sustainability model seeks to balance climate action with the development needs of emerging economies.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for affordable climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building for Africa, while highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, gas, clean technologies, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable infrastructure and responsible critical-mineral development.
Tinubu said Nigeria was ready to contribute to a BRICS partnership capable of strengthening resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainable development.
“Our partnerships must create jobs, expand trade, transfer technology, and strengthen our nations’ productive capacity. We must build a future in which Africa moves from the margins of global development to the frontiers of global growth and innovation,” he maintained.
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while opening the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, said confidence in BRICS among countries of the Global South had increased because their voices were being heard and their experiences respected.
Modi said the bloc’s strength was rooted in its diversity and cooperation and noted that its engagement was expanding beyond governments to entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women and young people.
He also highlighted BRICS initiatives including BRICS CONNECT, the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal and the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub as platforms for promoting skills, employment, enterprise development and knowledge-sharing among member and partner countries.
The Indian Prime Minister stressed that development must be balanced with environmental responsibility, saying sustainability should remain central to BRICS cooperation and the interests of future generations.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X