President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit, a high-level gathering of leaders from the Global South and key emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Touching down at the Galeao Air Force Base at 8:45 pm local time on Friday, President Tinubu was warmly received by top Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, and Ambassador Carlos Franca, Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was mounted in his honour by the Brazilian Air Force.

The Nigerian leader is attending the summit at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Ahead of the main event, President Tinubu is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart on Saturday, July 5, as part of efforts to deepen diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries.

During the BRICS Summit, which will hold on July 6 and 7, President Tinubu will participate in a high-level plenary session and deliver an address highlighting Nigeria’s bold economic reforms. His speech will focus on the country’s ongoing drive to reposition its economy for global competitiveness and sustainable growth.

The Nigerian President is also expected to engage global investors, showcasing investment opportunities across critical sectors including agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and alternative energy.

This year’s summit is themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, and will focus on pressing global issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, public health, and governance.

In preparation for the leaders’ session, BRICS political negotiators held deliberations to build consensus on the bloc’s shared goals. Discussions reportedly centred on aligning commitments toward combating socially determined diseases, managing the rise of AI, and improving climate finance mechanisms for the Global South.

President Tinubu is accompanied to Brazil by a delegation of state governors, including Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), as Nigeria positions itself for deeper integration within the emerging global economic framework.

– GistReports.com