President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Global South and Emerging Economic Bloc, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, collectively known as BRICS.
The President’s flight landed at the Galeao Air Force Base at 8:45 PM local time on Friday, where the base commander organised the Guard of Honour.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Saturday titled ‘President Tinubu Arrives In Rio De Janeiro For BRICS Meeting.’
Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, along with the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture, welcomed President Tinubu.
The Nigerian leader’s visit to Brazil comes at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva. On Saturday, July 5, Tinubu will participate in a bilateral meeting hosted by President Lula, before the summit on June 6 and 7.
During the BRICS Summit, the President is scheduled to participate in a plenary session and deliver a speech on Nigeria’s current reforms, which aim to enhance the country’s global economic competitiveness.
He will also hold discussions with investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and alternative energy within the country.
The theme of the summit is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
Discussions will focus on health, artificial intelligence, governance, and climate change challenges.
Before the Leaders’ Summit, political negotiators from BRICS collaborated on aligning commitments to tackle socially determined diseases, governance of artificial intelligence, and climate finance. They aimed to offer tangible solutions to the structural challenges encountered by the Global South.
State Governors accompanying the President at the summit include Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).
