President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s development through technology and food security, drawing lessons from Brazil’s success in both sectors.
Speaking in Brasília on Tuesday during an interactive session with Nigerians resident in Brazil, the President said his government is determined to position Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s progress by embracing innovation, reform and inclusive growth. He noted that Nigeria and Brazil once shared similar economic starting points, but Brazil’s advancement in technology and food systems offers inspiration for Nigeria’s transformation.
“We have the brains, the energy and the youth. We have everything we need. Now, we must act,” Tinubu declared, while urging Nigerians at home and abroad to support reforms aimed at long-term prosperity. He likened current economic policies to “bitter medicine” necessary for sustainable recovery.
The President praised the Nigerian diaspora in Brazil, describing them as stakeholders in nation-building. He also expressed support for an upcoming cultural voyage inspired by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, calling it a symbol of creativity and resilience.
Earlier, Chairman of the Nigerian community in Brazil, Chika Emmanuel, commended Tinubu’s efforts to deepen bilateral ties and pledged diaspora support for national development, citing the growth of Nigerian postgraduate scholars in Brazil from three to nearly 300 within 18 months.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the meeting as historically significant in rekindling centuries-old cultural and migration ties between Nigeria and Brazil. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State also praised Tinubu’s economic policies, noting that clearing a $7 billion forex backlog and eliminating multiple exchange rates have restored investor confidence.
The event, moderated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chair, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was attended by senior government officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.