05 July 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit where he is expected to spotlight Nigeria’s economic reforms and woo investors from emerging global powers.
Touching down at the Galeao Air Force Base at 8:45 pm local time on Friday, Tinubu was received by top Brazilian officials including Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte and Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture.
The President is in Brazil on the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and will join other leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa for the BRICS gathering set for July 6 and 7. A bilateral meeting with the host president is scheduled for today.
Speaking ahead of the summit, a senior official in Tinubu’s delegation said the President’s focus is on positioning Nigeria for global relevance through strategic partnerships.
“Nigeria is actively pushing for stronger cooperation with the Global South and showcasing itself as an attractive destination for investment in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, solid minerals and renewable energy,” the official said.
President Tinubu is also expected to deliver a major address during the plenary session, where he will explain the administration’s ongoing economic and structural reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness and investor confidence.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, will focus on major global issues including health, artificial intelligence, climate change, and governance.
Alongside the President, five Nigerian governors—Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger—are part of the Nigerian delegation.
BRICS political negotiators have been meeting ahead of the summit to find common ground on issues affecting developing countries, including the impact of climate change, regulation of artificial intelligence, and financing for global health.
Tinubu’s presence at the summit is seen as part of Nigeria’s strategic pivot towards stronger ties with the Global South and a bid to expand the country’s influence beyond traditional Western alliances.
