President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday night to attend the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the BRICS-led Global South and Emerging Economies.
Tinubu’s flight landed at the Galeão Air Force Base at 8:45 p.m. local time, where he was received with a Guard of Honour coordinated by the base commander. Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, and Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture were also on hand to welcome him.
According to a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President is in Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Tinubu will join other leaders for a bilateral meeting hosted by President Lula on Saturday, July 5, ahead of the main summit sessions scheduled for July 6 and 7.
During the summit, President Tinubu will participate in a plenary session and deliver an address on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at enhancing global competitiveness. He is also expected to meet with international investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and renewable energy.
The summit’s theme, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” will guide discussions on key global challenges, including health, artificial intelligence, climate change, and governance.
Ahead of the Leaders’ Summit, BRICS negotiators held preliminary talks focused on tackling structural challenges in the Global South—particularly in health, climate finance, and AI regulation.
President Tinubu is accompanied by several Nigerian state governors: Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).
