President Bola Tinubu has called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system, saying global institutions must better reflect present-day economic and demographic realities.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday while addressing the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. He was represented at the summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The 2026 BRICS 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 account of the Government of Nigeria, Tinubu said Nigeria was committed to promoting a fairer and more inclusive global governance system.
He said, “Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system.”
The President said BRICS had an important role to play in amplifying the voice of developing countries and promoting greater cooperation among nations of the Global South.
He urged member states to move beyond discussions and commitments towards practical initiatives capable of producing measurable development outcomes.
“Nigeria calls for a BRICS partnership that moves from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation, and from cooperation to measurable development outcomes,” Tinubu stated.
Tinubu also highlighted economic reforms under his administration, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, attract investment and improve the country’s resilience to global economic shocks.
“For Nigeria, resilience means building an economy capable of withstanding global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for our people,” he said.
The President called on BRICS countries and investors to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in areas including energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, trade and critical minerals.
He also encouraged investors to consider Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s growing market, particularly as the country promotes digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Tinubu further identified Nigeria’s youthful population as a major asset and said the government was investing in digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-driven businesses.
He welcomed increased BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
“A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future,” the President said.
Tinubu stressed that Nigeria wanted its BRICS partnership to translate into job creation, increased trade, technology transfer and stronger productive capacity.
He added, “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.”
