President Bola Tinubu has called for a restructuring of the global governance framework and a review of existing financial and healthcare systems, urging greater fairness and inclusion for developing countries, especially those in Africa.
Tinubu made this call on Saturday during the 17th BRICS meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he addressed leaders of the Global South and emerging economies.
“Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard today and all that has happened in BRICS. The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure,” he said.
The President highlighted climate change, environmental degradation, and inequality in global health systems as issues that require more attention. He stressed that these challenges continue to slow development in many regions, particularly in Africa.
“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he stated.
Tinubu also emphasized the need for a new path of justice, anchored in fairness, sustainable technology transfer, and accessible financing, so that emerging economies can fully benefit from various initiatives.
“The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment.
Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare.
We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of youths, who represent 70 per cent of our population in Nigeria. Therefore, Nigeria remains guided by our long-term vision, 2050, and nationally determined contribution.
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,” the President stated.
On healthcare, Tinubu stressed the urgency of tackling non-communicable diseases globally.
“As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the 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 concluded by reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to collaboration within BRICS for sustainable and inclusive development. “Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all.”
President Tinubu was invited to the summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Nigeria became a formal partner country of BRICS in January 2025, joining eight others—Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan—under the new partner-country category established at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
Nigeria’s admission was officially announced by Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency of BRICS for 2025.
