Tinubu seeks global re-evaluation of governance structure, others at BRICS

President Bola Tinubu has called for a re-evaluation of the current global governance structure, financial and healthcare systems, urging greater equity and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.

President Tinubu made the call at the 17th Meeting of the Global South and the Emerging Economies Bloc, BRICS, on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesman.

Nigeria became a partner on January 17th, 2025, when the Brazilian Government, in exercising its pro tempore presidency of BRICS, announced Nigeria’s formal admission as a partner country on January 17, 2025.

As the world’s sixth-most populous country and one of Africa’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other BRICS members.

Nigeria also plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and reforming global governance, which are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency.

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The president also raised concerns over environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and healthcare inequalities and called for more attention, as they contribute to slowing growth and development.

President Tinubu, expressed Nigeria’s supports for the BRICS position on the need to focus on collective, fair, and equitable global development.

“Nigeria, therefore, 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”, he noted.

Nigeria became the ninth partner country of BRICS in January 2025, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024 created the partner-country category.

He noted that environmental degradation, climate crisis, and global healthcare inequalities were shared concerns pertinent to Africa.

The president also reminded the global community that “Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most.”

This is just as he emphasised the need for a new path of justice, anchored in fairness, sustainable technology transfer, and accessible financing, so that emerging economies can fully benefit from various initiatives.

“The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment.

“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare.

“We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of youths, who represent 70 per cent of our population in Nigeria. Therefore, Nigeria remains guided by our long-term vision, 2050, and nationally determined contribution.

“We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, champion South-South cooperation, align with the global renewal framework and achieve universal health coverage for all”, President Tinubu stated.

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On communicable diseases, President Tinubu also charged the leaders to assist in addressing them, saying ” It must remain a collective health concern.

“As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future.

“Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all,” he noted.

Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, accompanied the president to the summit.