President Bola Tinubu on Friday night arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS summit.

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‎This marks Nigeria’s long awaited debut as a ‘partner country’ at the influential economic gathering

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‎According to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential jet, which departed Saint Lucia earlier in the day, touched down at the the Galeao Air Force Base tarmac at about 8:45 pm (local time).

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‎Mr Tinubu was received by Brazilian officials, including the Secretary for Africa and the Middle East and the Secretary for Innovation and Commerce.

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‎The Galeao Air Force Base Commander coordinated the Guard of Honour for Mr Tinubu.

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‎Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Duarte, and the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture, received Mr Tinubu.

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‎Mr Tinubu is in Brazil at the invitation of President Lula Da Silva.

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‎According to the statement, the Nigerian leader will attend a bilateral meeting hosted by President Lula on Saturday, ahead of the summit on July 6 and 7.

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‎At the BRICS summit, the President will participate in a plenary session and deliver an address on Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness.

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‎He will also attract investors to capitalise on the country’s opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and alternative energy.

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‎The summit’s theme is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” Deliberations will centre on health, Artificial Intelligence, governance, and climate change issues.

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‎Ahead of the Leaders’ Summit, the political negotiators of BRICS brainstormed over aligning more commitments to combat socially determined diseases, artificial intelligence governance, and climate finance.

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‎ Their focus was on providing concrete solutions to the structural challenges faced by the Global South.

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‎According to the statement, state governors participating in the summit with the President are Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).

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‎The Nigerian leader is one of four African presidents invited to the summit, joining counterparts from South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, the three African nations that hold full BRICS membership.

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‎Nigeria accepted an invitation to become a partner country in January 2025, following the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

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‎This partnership allows Nigeria to engage with the bloc’s economic and political initiatives without holding full membership.

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‎‎The BRICS group consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In 2024-2025, they expanded by adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members, and invited several other countries as partner countries.

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‎Nigeria is one of these partner countries, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

(NAN)