BRICS: Nigeria seeks reform of UN, global financial system

President Bola Tinubu has called for the reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Sunday, stated that Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture.

The 2026 summit, which was themed ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,’ is chaired by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

According to a tweet via the official X handle of the Government of Nigeria, Tinubu noted that the summit’s theme reflects the realities facing developing countries, as he emphasised the objective of Nigeria’s partnership with BRICS.

The statement read partly, “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.

“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.”

“This charge speaks to the realities confronting developing countries and to our collective aspiration for a fairer and more inclusive international order. Nigeria approaches this partnership with a defined objective: to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen South-South partnerships, and advance Africa’s development priorities.”

Tinubu noted that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda has pushed several reforms that are capable of building a resilient economy and creating sustainable opportunities for the Nigerian people.

“Excellencies, for Nigeria, resilience means building an economy capable of withstanding global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for our people.

“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.

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The Nigerian leader invited BRICS-member nations to partner with the Federal Government on critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, among others.

He also urged BRICS investors to see Nigeria as a “gateway to Africa’s expanding market” as it was championing the African Continental Free Trade Area’s digital trade protocol.

The statement continued, “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.

“We support rules-based multilateral trade, e-commerce and digital trade because no nation’s borders should define the limits of its enterprise.

“We also invite BRICS investors to view Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose protocol on digital trade Nigeria is championing.”

Tinubu stated further that given Nigeria’s population of 250 million people and an average age of 16.9, its “greatest asset is its young and dynamic population, whose imagination drives our innovation agenda.

“We invest in digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology-enabled businesses through 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and our national AI programmes.”

He welcomed BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cyber security, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing,” among others, saying, ” A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future.”

The President stressed Nigeria’s commitment to a BRICS partnership that is resilient, innovative and cooperative enough.

“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 assured.