Victoria Mbangwa
President Bola Tinubu has championed a new global order rooted in justice, fairness, and equity calling on world leaders to reform financial and healthcare systems that have long excluded emerging and low-income nations, especially in Africa.
In his address at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday, President Tinubu used Nigeria’s debut as a BRICS partner country to spotlight the urgent need for a more inclusive international system. “Africa contributes the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he said, urging a transformation of the current global governance architecture that marginalizes the Global South.
Invited by Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Tinubu joined leaders from other emerging economies to align on a shared vision for development. He expressed Nigeria’s support for BRICS’ growing advocacy on climate justice, healthcare access, and equitable economic reforms.
“We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, champion South-South cooperation, align with the global renewal framework and achieve universal health coverage for all,” Tinubu said, adding that the continent’s youth-driven population cannot be left out of the future being shaped by current leaders.
Nigeria was formally admitted as a BRICS partner on January 17, 2025, becoming the ninth nation to join the bloc’s new partnership tier. The move, announced under Brazil’s BRICS presidency, reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to South-South cooperation and multilateral collaboration for sustainable development.
Emphasizing Nigeria’s Vision 2050 and climate pledges, Tinubu highlighted the country’s strides in renewable energy, climate action, and urban resilience. “Nigeria remains guided by our long-term vision, 2050, and nationally determined contribution,” he said.
President Tinubu also stressed that non-communicable diseases must not be ignored in the push for global health equity. “BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future,” he asserted.
Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar and Finance Minister Wale Edun, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to take on a leadership role in shaping a fairer, more inclusive world order.
With Nigeria now formally at the BRICS table, its growing influence as Africa’s most populous nation and economic powerhouse is expected to shape future conversations on debt restructuring, climate finance, and equitable health systems.
