Tinubu urges BRICS to rethink Global Systems, calls for fairer World order at Brazil summit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a comprehensive overhaul of global governance, financial frameworks, and healthcare systems, urging for a fairer and more inclusive world order that genuinely reflects the interests of emerging and low-income economies, especially in Africa.

Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit of the Global South in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tinubu expressed concern that global challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, and healthcare inequalities continue to stall sustainable development across the African continent.

This summit marked Nigeria’s debut as an official BRICS partner nation following its admission into the bloc on January 17, 2025, alongside eight other countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

The Nigerian president, in a statement released by his media aide Bayo Onanuga, reminded world leaders that Africa, despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, bears the brunt of climate-related disasters. He stressed that justice, equity, and affordable financing must underpin any new global compact, supported by sustainable technology transfer and local control over solutions.

“The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure,” Tinubu said, adding that developing nations must no longer be sidelined in global discussions that shape the future. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global climate action initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall project, while highlighting the country’s Vision 2050 strategy aimed at long-term sustainability, youth inclusion, and healthcare equity.

Tinubu also called for greater collaboration ahead of COP-30, especially in tackling non-communicable diseases and building strong healthcare systems.

“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We cannot be passive participants in global decision-making on issues like debt relief, climate financing, and healthcare access,” he said.

He concluded by urging the BRICS bloc to be more than a coalition of emerging economies but to serve as a beacon for innovative solutions to global challenges, championing solidarity, self-reliance, and a future anchored on sustainability and shared prosperity.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and Minister of Finance Wale Edun accompanied President Tinubu to the summit, which aligns with Brazil’s priorities during its rotating presidency to strengthen South-South cooperation and push for reforms in global governance.