By Asaye Bankole
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on BRICS countries to spearhead reforms of the global governance system and international financial institutions, saying the existing structures must reflect current economic and demographic realities.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday during the ongoing 2026 BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India. His speech was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The President said Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance system, including reforms to the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system.
He said BRICS had continued to strengthen the voice of countries in the Global South and promote a more inclusive international order.
“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 said.
Tinubu urged BRICS to move beyond dialogue and commitments to practical cooperation that would produce measurable development outcomes.
He also presented Nigeria as a major investment destination and gateway to Africa’s growing market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The President said Nigeria’s economic resilience strategy was focused on building an economy capable of surviving global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for its citizens.
According to him, the objective is being pursued through the Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes measures to strengthen macroeconomic stability, diversify production, improve productivity, expand infrastructure and human capital, attract investment, promote private-sector-led growth and strengthen climate resilience.
Tinubu called for deeper BRICS cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals.
He said such partnerships should focus on technology transfer, local value addition, industrial development and job creation.
“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,” he said.
The President described Nigeria’s youthful population as one of its greatest assets, noting that the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young Nigerians were contributing significantly to the country’s innovation drive.
He identified digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-enabled businesses as key areas requiring greater investment.
Tinubu also called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and BRICS in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
He stressed that developing countries must move beyond simply consuming technology to producing technology, generating knowledge and owning intellectual property.
“A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future,” he said.
The President said Nigeria viewed cooperation with BRICS as an opportunity to expand trade and investment, promote technology transfer and strengthen human-capital development.
He called for partnerships in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and industrialisation, supported by development finance.
Tinubu said Nigeria was also seeking an open, secure and inclusive digital ecosystem as Project BRIDGE expands broadband connectivity, fibre infrastructure and digital public services.
He said such an ecosystem would promote innovation, digital trade, responsible artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
On climate change, the President said Nigeria’s sustainability strategy was designed 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 for cooperation 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 withstanding global shocks, embracing innovation, promoting shared prosperity and protecting future generations.
“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 said.
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, their experiences respected and solutions developed with them rather than for them.
Modi said the strength of BRICS lay in its diversity and cooperation, adding that the bloc was expanding participation beyond governments to entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women and young people.
He also highlighted initiatives such as BRICS CONNECT, the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal and the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub, saying they were designed to promote skills, employment, enterprise development and knowledge-sharing among member and partner countries.
The Indian Prime Minister further stressed the importance of balancing economic development with environmental responsibility, saying sustainability must remain central to BRICS cooperation and the interests of future generations.
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