President Bola Tinubu has called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system to create a more representative and equitable global governance structure.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, where he urged member states to strengthen South-South cooperation and ensure that global institutions reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.
The 2026 summit, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is themed “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
According to a statement posted on the official X handle of the Government of Nigeria, Tinubu said the summit’s theme reflected the challenges confronting developing countries and the need for a fairer and more inclusive international order.
“Excellencies, the transformation we seek must reach the international system. Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system,” he said.
“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.
“Nigeria calls for a BRICS partnership that moves from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation, and from cooperation to measurable development outcomes.”
Tinubu said Nigeria’s partnership with BRICS was aimed at promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthening South-South partnerships and advancing Africa’s development priorities.
He said his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda had introduced reforms aimed at building a resilient economy and creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.
“For Nigeria, resilience means building an economy capable of withstanding global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for our people.
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“This is embedded in our Renewed Hope Agenda through reforms that strengthen macroeconomic stability, diversify production, raise productivity, expand infrastructure and human capital, attract investment for more private sector-led growth, and deepen climate resilience,” he said.
The President invited BRICS member states to partner with Nigeria in critical sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, food security, manufacturing and healthcare.
He also urged BRICS investors to consider Nigeria a “gateway to Africa’s expanding market” through the African Continental Free Trade Area, noting that Nigeria was championing its digital trade protocol.
“We welcome BRICS cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals, especially partnerships that advance technology transfer, local value addition, industrial capacity and employment,” Tinubu said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for rules-based multilateral trade, e-commerce and digital trade, saying economic opportunities should not be limited by national borders.
Tinubu further highlighted Nigeria’s young population as a key driver of its innovation agenda, citing investments in digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-enabled businesses through initiatives such as 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national AI programmes.
He 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 said.
Tinubu said Nigeria remained committed to a BRICS partnership capable of strengthening the country’s productive capacity, expanding trade, creating jobs and advancing technology.
“Our partnership must create jobs, expand trade, transport technology and strengthen our nation’s 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. Nigeria is ready to play its part,” he said.
NAN
