President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government of BRICS – the emerging global economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The President’s aircraft landed at the Galeão Air Force Base at 8:45 pm on Friday, where he was warmly received by Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, as well as the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was also conducted at the tarmac under the supervision of the Base Commander.

President Tinubu’s participation follows an official invitation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. On July 5, President Lula will host a bilateral meeting with the Nigerian leader ahead of the main summit sessions scheduled for July 6 and 7.

At the BRICS Summit, President Tinubu will take part in a high-level plenary session where he is expected to deliver a keynote address on Nigeria’s sweeping economic reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness and attracting global investment. He will also advocate for strategic partnerships in agriculture, healthcare, solid minerals, and alternative energy.

With the theme, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the summit will tackle critical global challenges including health, climate change, governance, and the regulation of artificial intelligence. BRICS negotiators have been working on concrete frameworks to address structural inequalities and ensure the Global South’s concerns are at the heart of global development discourse.

Accompanying the President to the summit are five Nigerian state governors: Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), who will engage in subnational cooperation and investment dialogues on the sidelines of the summit.