Nigeria has called for reforms to global governance structures and international financial institutions, saying they must better reflect current economic and demographic realities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the call on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while addressing the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on Sunday.
Nigeria is participating in the summit as a BRICS partner country. The country joined the BRICS partner-country framework in 2025.
Shettima said Nigeria supports a more representative and equitable international system, including reforms to the United Nations Security Council and global financial institutions.
“Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture,” he said.
He argued that BRICS provides an important platform for strengthening the voice of countries in the Global South.
Nigeria seeks stronger BRICS partnership
Shettima also urged BRICS countries to move beyond dialogue and focus on partnerships that deliver measurable economic benefits.
He identified trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals as areas where Nigeria wants deeper cooperation.
The Vice President positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He said cooperation should prioritise technology transfer, local value addition, industrial capacity and job creation.
Nigeria’s participation comes as BRICS leaders discuss trade, energy, peace and global economic cooperation at the two-day summit in New Delhi.
Shettima highlights technology and young population
Shettima identified Nigeria’s young population as a major economic asset, pointing to its potential to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
He called for stronger BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
He also highlighted government initiatives including 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national artificial intelligence programmes.
According to Shettima, Nigeria wants partnerships that enable developing countries to build technological capacity rather than remain dependent on imported technology.
“A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future,” he said.
The Vice President also called for investment in digital skills, entrepreneurship and research to strengthen Nigeria’s human capital.
Financial reform remains key demand
Nigeria’s call for financial reform comes as BRICS pushes for a stronger voice for developing countries within institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
The issue has become part of the wider debate over whether the current international financial architecture adequately reflects the economic weight of emerging and developing countries.
Shettima said Nigeria’s participation in BRICS should translate into practical opportunities for investment, trade and human-capital development.
The government is particularly seeking partnerships in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and industrialisation.
What Nigeria wants from BRICS
The emphasis on implementation marks an important part of Nigeria’s message at the summit.
Rather than limiting cooperation to diplomatic commitments, the government wants BRICS partnerships to generate investment, expand trade and support domestic production.
Shettima said Nigeria also wants an open and secure digital ecosystem capable of supporting innovation, digital trade and responsible artificial intelligence.
Nigeria’s position reflects its broader effort to deepen economic relationships with emerging markets while pursuing greater influence for developing countries in global institutions.
The immediate challenge will be translating the diplomatic commitments into concrete investment, technology-transfer agreements and development projects.
For Nigeria, the value of its BRICS partnership will ultimately depend on whether the relationship produces measurable gains in trade, infrastructure, technology, employment and productive capacity.
