Nigeria Supports WTO at BRICS Summit, Advocates Cooperation

On 12 September 2026, during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the country's support for the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He stated that sustainable prosperity cannot be achieved through isolation from the global community.

Shettima met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasizing Nigeria's commitment to multilateralism and advocating for a more inclusive international economic system. He linked global economic development to migration, asserting that immigrants significantly contribute to the growth of nations and economies.

Shettima cited a Pew Research Center analysis indicating that 67% of Nigerian-born Black immigrants in the U.S. hold at least a bachelor's degree, showcasing their contributions abroad. He praised Okonjo-Iweala for her leadership at the WTO and encouraged her to continue her impactful work.

Okonjo-Iweala, who began her second four-year term as Director-General in September 2025, is the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.