Tinubu Calls for BRICS Reform at Leaders’ Summit

On September 13, 2026, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, addressed the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India. He called for a fundamental overhaul of global governance and financial systems, emphasizing that these institutions must reflect current economic and demographic realities.

Tinubu stated that Nigeria supports a more equitable global governance architecture, including reforms to the United Nations Security Council and international financial systems. He urged BRICS to move from dialogue to actionable partnerships that yield measurable economic outcomes.

Tinubu also pitched Nigeria as a strategic entry point into Africa's market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), highlighting the country's efforts in economic resilience through reforms aimed at macroeconomic stability, productivity, and infrastructure development. He emphasized the importance of technology cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure, to prevent developing countries from being mere consumers of foreign technologies.