President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a bold rethinking of the global governance architecture, financial systems, and healthcare structures—insisting that emerging and low-income nations, especially in Africa, must be granted fairer representation and greater access to development opportunities.

Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, President Tinubu urged world leaders and the bloc of emerging economies to prioritise issues like climate change, environmental degradation, and healthcare inequality, which he described as major obstacles to growth in the Global South.

“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” the President said, stressing the urgent need for climate justice and sustainable development models that serve the continent’s long-term interests.

President Tinubu’s address comes months after Nigeria was formally admitted as one of nine partner countries of BRICS—joining a select group that includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The “partner-country” category was created at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.

At the summit—hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva—Tinubu aligned Nigeria with the BRICS bloc’s push for “collective, fair, and equitable development,” calling for a global financial restructuring that does not leave Africa behind.

“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We cannot be passive participants in global decisions about debt, climate, and healthcare. We must be architects of a future that reflects our realities,” he stated.

President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria is already leading initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall, which he hopes will gain further traction at the upcoming COP-30 global climate summit. He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to universal health coverage, renewable energy transition, and the promotion of nature-based climate solutions.

“We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, and achieve universal health coverage. As we approach COP-30, BRICS must become a beacon for shared prosperity and global solutions rooted in solidarity,” Tinubu said.

On the issue of health, the President underscored the need to strengthen global health systems, with a special focus on non-communicable diseases, which are becoming more prevalent in Africa and other developing regions.

“Strengthening the global health system must remain a collective concern. The BRICS should lead in driving emerging health solutions that are inclusive and affordable,” he added.

President Tinubu was accompanied to the summit by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.

Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, has continued to play an active role in advancing South-South cooperation and driving the reform of global governance structures. These remain key priorities under Brazil’s current presidency of BRICS.