Tinubu returns from diplomatic tour, champions global reforms at BRICS summit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a strategic two-nation diplomatic tour of Saint Lucia and Brazil, where he advanced Nigeria’s international engagement agenda and called for urgent reforms in global governance during his first appearance at the BRICS Summit.

His arrival was confirmed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who announced on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter) that the president was received at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Welcoming him were key cabinet members including Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Defence Minister Bello Matawalle, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

President Tinubu’s tour began in Saint Lucia, where he delivered a keynote address to a special joint session of the island’s Parliament, emphasizing the shared heritage and development potential between Africa and the Caribbean.

The visit, which the presidency described as part of efforts to “deepen Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations,” was symbolic of Nigeria’s growing leadership role in the Global South.

In recognition of his contributions to regional diplomacy, Tinubu was conferred with Saint Lucia’s highest national honour, the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL).

Following his Caribbean engagement, President Tinubu travelled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he participated in the 17th BRICS Summit of the Global South and Emerging Economies.

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It marked Nigeria’s first participation as a formal partner in the BRICS group, following its admission in January 2025 along with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. This inclusion stems from a new “partner-country” category established at the 2024 Kazan Summit in Russia.

Addressing the summit, Tinubu called for a restructuring of global governance and financial systems, stressing that the existing order marginalizes developing nations.

“Nigeria associates with what I have heard today and all that has happened in BRICS. The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure,” Tinubu said.

President Tinubu highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, noting that although the continent contributes the least to global emissions, it suffers the most severe consequences.

“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he said, calling for climate justice and inclusive action in shaping global environmental policies.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to climate resilience through initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall, and expressed optimism that the upcoming COP-30 Conference would spur collective action.

“We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, and achieve universal health coverage for all,” he added.

On health, Tinubu emphasized the urgency of tackling non-communicable diseases and strengthening national health systems. He urged BRICS to evolve into a platform that drives global solidarity and innovation.

“We believe BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity,” he said.

In closing, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to South-South cooperation and reiterated his administration’s long-term development agenda under Vision 2050, as well as Nigeria’s nationally determined contributions to the global climate framework.

His diplomatic engagements in Saint Lucia and Brazil signal Nigeria’s growing influence on the international stage and a renewed determination to play a leading role in shaping a more equitable global order.