The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Brics

  • First Lady hosts Russian BRICS women’s Business Alliance

    First Lady hosts Russian BRICS women’s Business Alliance

    • Senator Tinubu pledges support for female entrepreneurs

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday hosted the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance at the State House in Abuja.

    She said Nigeria is a fertile ground for global partnerships and a dependable ally of the BRICS bloc.

    Welcoming the business alliance’s delegation, led by its Chairperson, Anna Nesterova, Mrs. Tinubu described Nigeria as “a very interesting place that you will find rewarding for partnerships”.

    The First Lady assured the visitors of her office’s continued advocacy for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.

    She stressed the statutory role of government ministries in driving concrete economic engagements, saying: “My office will continue to provide advocacy and encouragement, but the ministries have the statutory responsibilities and budgets to support your mission.

    “I do a lot of programmes through my foundation, but when it comes to women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, the ministries are the right partners. My role is to complement, advise, and facilitate.”

    Mrs. Tinubu highlighted her humanitarian work through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), saying she has personal commitments to education, women, and children.

    The First Lady recalled that she dedicated her 65th birthday to raising funds for a national library project and announced plans to distribute sanitary kits to schoolgirls in Gombe State as part of her outreach to rural communities.

    Nesterova praised Mrs. Tinubu as “an incredible woman who not only changes lives for the better but also paves the way for a prosperous future for the Nigerian people”.

    The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance chairperson announced the group’s plans to establish a regional office in Nigeria to serve as a gateway for women entrepreneurs into international markets.

    She also announced a donation of 1,000 labour and delivery kits to support maternal health in Nigeria.

    Read ALso: Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    The chairperson highlighted the alliance’s global reach, saying: “Our Common Digital Platform currently connects more than 3,000 businesswomen from 60 countries. Last year, the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest attracted 50 applications from Nigeria alone.”

    The Russian delegation included senior executives and academics, such as Ms. Liudmila Shcherbakova of VET PHARM Group, Ms. Natalia Vershinina of United Migration Centre, Prof. Liudmila Popova of Orel State University, and Ms. Anna Meshcheryakova of Third Opinion AI.

    They expressed readiness to collaborate in the areas of pharmaceuticals and labour mobility to financial literacy and AI-driven healthcare solutions.

    The visitors joined Nigerian officials at a technical session, which held at the State House Banquet Hall and focused on the topic: Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Exploring Investment Opportunities between Nigeria and Russia.

    The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the engagement as a new chapter in Nigeria–Russia relations.

    “This gathering must go beyond symbolism. It should deliver actionable frameworks for cooperation, joint ventures, and enduring networks between Nigerian and Russian women entrepreneurs,” she said.

    The minister linked the talks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope foreign policy agenda, stressing that empowering women is “not just a moral duty but a strategic investment in national growth and stability”.

    Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, delved into over six decades of Nigeria-Russia cooperation in education, technology, defence, and energy.

    She noted that Nigerian women own over 40 per cent of small and medium enterprises and constitute nearly 39 per cent of registered exporters.

    “With Nigeria’s demographic strength and entrepreneurial dynamism, and Russia’s technological expertise, our two nations can pursue mutually beneficial partnerships in agriculture, food security, mining, energy, the digital economy, and healthcare,” Oduwole said.

    The minister underscored Nigeria’s gateway role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering investors access to a $3 trillion market of 1.3 billion people.

    Other speakers at the event included the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulieman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who stressed the importance of women and youth in driving innovation and inclusive growth.

  • Russia willing to cooperate with South to counter U.S. sanctions

    Russia willing to cooperate with South to counter U.S. sanctions

    Russia is ready to step up cooperation with the Global South and BRICS to counter the illegal U.S. sanctions pressure, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

    “Nevertheless, we believe that no tariff wars and sanctions can alter the inevitable course of history. 

    “We have a vast network of partners, like-minded people, and allies within the Global South, particularly among BRICS countries, who share this perspective.

    “We are ready to step up cooperation with them to counteract illegal unilateral sanctions and to establish a truly multilateral, just, and equitable global order,” Zakharova said.

    Read Also: Five Caribbean countries Nigerians can visit with only passport

    Such U.S. policy is a direct encroachment on the national sovereignty of states, constituting interference in the domestic affairs of other nations, the spokeswoman said.

    “Sanctions and restrictions are a regrettable reality of the current historical stage, impacting the entire globe.

    “Washington cannot accept the loss of its hegemony in the emerging multipolar world order and continues to pursue a neocolonial policy to uphold its dominance, using politicised economic. 

    “Pressures against those who resist its agenda on the international stage,” she said.

  • Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    • By Tunde Rahman

    President Donald Trump never ceases to amaze with his haughty and self-aggrandising governance style, endless huffing and puffing, brinkmanship, and tendency to weaponise America’s often-stated exceptionalism and unilateralism.

    Last weekend, as member states of the fledgling association of the Global South and a growing economic bloc, otherwise called BRICS, were holding their 17th Summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, Trump threatened to impose a fresh tariff hike on them, labeling the group a gang-up against America.

    He warned that any country aligned with the policies of the BRICS alliance that diverge with US interests, would be hit with an extra 10% tariff. “Any country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on his Truth social media.

    Trump’s threat emerged after BRICS members criticised US tariff policies, proposed some reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and discussed how major currencies are valued. After the two-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS Finance Ministers issued a statement criticising tariffs as a threat to the global economy. They noted that they have brought “uncertainty into international economic and trade activities.”

    Trump has always been disdainful of the BRICS since its formation. In 2024, he threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they moved ahead with their currency to rival the US dollar. After the association’s recent meeting, he uttered the same threat, saying members of the group were out to de-legitimise the US dollar.

    The BRICS nations must demonstrate unity of purpose in responding to President Trump. More than ever before, they need to be focused, act in unison, and continue to harp on their collective interest. It’s just as expedient that BRICS members demonstrate they are driven by the need to get a fair deal for their countries within the international system, and that the association is by no means a gang-up against America.

    BRICS was designed to enhance the member nations’ economic interests and promote their international standing. This may be interpreted as a push against the US and Western Europe, but BRICS nations also have a responsibility to pursue and defend their interests.

    In this context, one key advantage of BRICS nations is their large population, which translates to a bigger market. BRICS member states account for more than half of the world’s population.

    Read Also: Buhari exemplified integrity, rule of law – Emami

    Last year, the list of BRICS member countries expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In January this year, Nigeria became BRICS’ ninth partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

    Because of this partner-country status, President Bola Tinubu attended the 17th Summit of BRICS last week at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva. The Nigerian leader arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, July 4. The next day, July 5, he went into a bilateral meeting accompanied by some of his ministers and governors with the Brazilian leader and some of his cabinet members.

    Along with the President, cabinet members, including Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture; Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment; and Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; and Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), participated in the summit.

    State governors such as Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger) were also present at the bilateral talks.

    During the meeting, President Tinubu informed his Brazilian counterpart, Lula Da Silva, that all bottlenecks hindering the agricultural sector’s potential, including livestock production, would be removed to enhance food security and exports.

    Noting that bureaucracy and administrative hiccups contribute to delays in realising the agricultural sector’s well-acknowledged potential, the President disclosed that Nigeria was already undergoing reform to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already has a comparative advantage.

    Discussions at the meeting centred mainly on agriculture, including livestock development, environment, aviation, trade and investment, and the Green Initiative, which designs climate-positive migration solutions for addressing climate change risks, market challenges, and innovation opportunities.

    All the technicalities in actualising the agreements between Nigeria and Brazil, according to President Tinubu, will be streamlined and fast-tracked in areas of trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, as well as mining and natural resources exploration.

    President Lula, on his part, promised that all agreements with Nigeria would be regularised, and MOUs would be updated and signed without delay during President Tinubu’s next visit to the country. He also pointed out that the lingering bureaucratic delays between the two countries would be removed for quick results.

    Brazil has recorded tremendous achievements in research and development. The country is easily regarded as one of the top global producers of food and other agricultural products. President Tinubu’s visit demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to establish a strong partnership with Brazil to tap into this feat to stimulate growth in food production and animal husbandry.

    However, on Sunday, July 6, while addressing the BRICS summit, President Tinubu restated his position on global trade, international financing, climate change, and healthcare, as well as his belief in and support for BRICS. The President advocated a re-evaluation of the current global financial system and healthcare distribution, calling for more consideration, equity, and inclusion for the poor and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.

    According to President Tinubu, environmental degradation, climate crisis, and inequalities in the healthcare system deserve more attention, as they contribute to hindering growth and development in Third World countries.

    At the Summit, President Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s support for the position of BRICS on the need to focus on collective, fair and equitable global development. “Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard here today, and all that has been taking place in BRICS. The next issues are financial restructuring and re-evaluation of the global structure,” he told the BRICS member–states, pointing out that environmental deprivation, climate crisis, and global healthcare inequalities were shared concerns pertinent to Africa.

    “Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” the President said, adding: “The African continent is creating the path through the African carbon market initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that eventually, COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to embrace a healthy global environment strategically.”

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

    President Tinubu affirmed this much: “Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making. So, issues such as financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental ruin, and global healthcare must be resolved. 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 global renewal framework and achieving universal health coverage for all.”

    It is instructive that President Tinubu has used every opportunity on the international scene to demand an equitable global trade, accessible financing, sustainable technology transfer, and climate justice. He canvassed the same issues while addressing the 78th United Nations’ General Assembly in New York in September 2023, at UN Climate Change Conference, otherwise called COP28 in Dubai, United Arabs Emirates, in January 2024 and at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, also in January 2024, where he was represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, among other international forums.

    Indeed, the gains of attending the recent BRICS Summit and President Tinubu’s friendship with President Da Silva are already manifesting in many respects. Firstly, on the heels of President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil last year, Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, visited Nigeria this year to build on the agreements reached between Presidents Tinubu and Da Silva, particularly on the Green Initiative.

    Secondly, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, met with his counterpart from Brazil, where he was informed that President Lula had given a firm directive to Brazilian agricultural institutions and companies to invest heavily in Nigeria.

    Even back at home, the impact has been no less.

    On June 25, 2025, the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer represented by Dr. Dahiru Mohammed officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with Brazil’s renowned Campos Group to provide technical expertise for the Irrigate Nigeria programme.

    For some years now, agriculture has been among the highest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP. This collaboration is thus a big boost for Nigeria’s quest to strengthen the agricultural value chain and reduce import dependency through large-scale technology-enabled farming. Campos Group, known for its central role in Brazil’s agricultural revolution under the PRODECER Programme, brings over four decades of expertise in developing irrigated agricultural zones and transforming previously under-utilised lands into thriving agro-industrial hubs.

    There is much more. But to further reinforce these agreements and consolidate the initial gains, signing a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil has become imperative. This is an ample pathway to bilateral cooperation in various aviation areas, including maintenance, mutual flight operations, and environmental certification. We can glean from the foregoing what a full membership of BRICS would yield for Nigeria. Notwithstanding President Trump’s misguided threat, it will help the country reap the full benefits of associating with the group.

    • Rahman is Senior Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Special Duties.
  • BRICS: Nigeria’s reawakening on the global stage

    BRICS: Nigeria’s reawakening on the global stage

    Sir: In the tide of 21st-century geopolitics, nothing remains static. Power is shifting steadily from the traditional centres of influence to new constellations of cooperation. Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no longer content to watch from the margins. At the recent BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where I was privileged to serve as part of the president’s delegation, Nigeria signalled its intent to participate in and help reshape the global system.

    This was not a routine diplomatic stop. It was a pivotal moment that confirms what many of us in the foreign policy space have long suspected: the world is fragmenting into multipolar alignments, and Africa must choose whether to be an object of alignment or an architect of it. Nigeria has made its choice. And BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – is the platform on which that strategic re-imagination is beginning to unfold.

    BRICS, contrary to common perception, is not merely a bloc of “emerging markets.” It is the most consequential coalition of South-South cooperation in the 21st century – an economic and geopolitical counterweight to the entrenched dominance of the G7. With a combined population exceeding 4.5 billion (over 55% of the global total) and a share of more than 43% of global GDP, rivalling the West, BRICS is not knocking at the door of influence; it has entered the room and begun rearranging the furniture.

    Nigeria’s engagement as a partner country at the summit was no accident. It was the outcome of deliberate diplomacy, a vision articulated by President Tinubu and his foreign policy team to move beyond symbolic attendance and toward strategic anchoring. In Rio, Nigeria stood not as a passive observer but as a country with weight, one that understands the game and is willing to play it with skill and ambition.

    Read Also: Prophet Alo sympathises with Nigerians over Buhari, Awujale’s demise

    Indeed, what we are witnessing under this administration is firm revamp of Nigeria’s foreign policy machinery. For the first time in years, there is a cohesive effort to align foreign engagements with national priorities, from trade diversification to diaspora engagement, and from regional stability to multilateral leverage. President Tinubu’s approach is both political and strategic: reasserting Nigeria’s natural leadership role on the continent while building new alliances that can support domestic development goals. It is a departure from reactive diplomacy to one anchored in anticipation and calculated projection.

    BRICS may now be the most critical multilateral platform for Nigeria after the United Nations. It offers an arena where African agency can be asserted, not diluted, where relationships are transactional but potentially transformational.

    Why does this matter to Nigerians? Because foreign policy, when done right, is never abstract. It is about access. It is about building the soft power and relationships that bring development finance to our MSMEs, open export markets for Nigerian entrepreneurs, and create policy headroom for alternative trade and technology routes. The BRICS established New Development Bank, the push for de-dollarisation, and new infrastructure financing platforms all offer non-Western alternatives that do not come with conditionalities tethered to austerity or ideological alignment.

    Under President Tinubu, Nigeria is shedding the posture of diplomatic fatigue and stepping into a new era of engaged, strategic foreign policy. We are showing up, on purpose and with purpose. Nigeria is no longer content with a seat at the table; we seek to influence the menu.

    The world is changing. BRICS is only one example, but a telling one. Piece by piece, BRICS by BRICS, Nigeria is recalibrating its foreign policy to reflect its aspirations, its size, and its responsibilities.

    We must keep going. The stakes are too high for hesitation.

    •Ademola Oshodi,Abuja.

  • Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    • Tunde Rahman

    President Donald Trump never ceases to amaze with his haughty and self-aggrandising governance style, endless huffing and puffing, brinkmanship, and tendency to weaponise America’s often-stated exceptionalism and unilateralism.

    Last weekend, as member states of the fledgling association of the Global South and a growing economic bloc, otherwise called BRICS, were holding their 17th Summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, Trump threatened to impose a fresh tariff hike on them, labeling the group a gang-up against America. 

    He warned that any country aligned with the policies of the BRICS alliance that diverge with US interests, would be hit with an extra 10% tariff. “Any country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on his Truth social media.

    Trump’s threat emerged after BRICS members criticised US tariff policies, proposed some reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and discussed how major currencies are valued. After the two-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS Finance Ministers issued a statement criticising tariffs as a threat to the global economy. They noted that they have brought “uncertainty into international economic and trade activities.”

    Trump has always been disdainful of the BRICS since its formation. In 2024, he threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they moved ahead with their currency to rival the US dollar. After the association’s recent meeting, he uttered the same threat, saying members of the group were out to de-legitimise the US dollar.

    The BRICS nations must demonstrate unity of purpose in responding to President Trump. More than ever before, they need to be focused, act in unison, and continue to harp on their collective interest. It’s just as expedient that BRICS members demonstrate they are driven by the need to get a fair deal for their countries within the international system, and that the association is by no means a gang-up against America.

    BRICS was designed to enhance the member nations’ economic interests and promote their international standing. This may be interpreted as a push against the US and Western Europe, but BRICS nations also have a responsibility to pursue and defend their interests.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Brazil sign landmark health sector cooperation pact at BRICS summit

    In this context, one key advantage of BRICS nations is their large population, which translates to a bigger market. BRICS member states account for more than half of the world’s population.

    Last year, the list of BRICS member countries expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In January this year, Nigeria became BRICS’ ninth partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

    Because of this partner-country status, President Bola Tinubu attended the 17th Summit of BRICS last week at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva. The Nigerian leader arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, July 4. The next day, July 5, he went into a bilateral meeting accompanied by some of his ministers and governors with the Brazilian leader and some of his cabinet members.

    Along with the President, cabinet members, including Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture; Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment; and Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; and Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), participated in the summit.

    State governors such as Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger) were also present at the bilateral talks.

    During the meeting, President Tinubu informed his Brazilian counterpart, Lula Da Silva, that all bottlenecks hindering the agricultural sector’s potential, including livestock production, would be removed to enhance food security and exports.

    Noting that bureaucracy and administrative hiccups contribute to delays in realising the agricultural sector’s well-acknowledged potential, the President disclosed that Nigeria was already undergoing reform to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already has a comparative advantage.

    Discussions at the meeting centred mainly on agriculture, including livestock development, environment, aviation, trade and investment, and the Green Initiative, which designs climate-positive migration solutions for addressing climate change risks, market challenges, and innovation opportunities.

    All the technicalities in actualising the agreements between Nigeria and Brazil, according to President Tinubu, will be streamlined and fast-tracked in areas of trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, as well as mining and natural resources exploration.

    President Lula, on his part, promised that all agreements with Nigeria would be regularised, and MOUs would be updated and signed without delay during President Tinubu’s next visit to the country. He also pointed out that the lingering bureaucratic delays between the two countries would be removed for quick results.

    Brazil has recorded tremendous achievements in research and development. The country is easily regarded as one of the top global producers of food and other agricultural products. President Tinubu’s visit demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to establish a strong partnership with Brazil to tap into this feat to stimulate growth in food production and animal husbandry.

    However, on Sunday, July 6, while addressing the BRICS summit, President Tinubu restated his position on global trade, international financing, climate change, and healthcare, as well as his belief in and support for BRICS. 

    The President advocated a re-evaluation of the current global financial system and healthcare distribution, calling for more consideration, equity, and inclusion for the poor and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.

    According to President Tinubu, environmental degradation, climate crisis, and inequalities in the healthcare system deserve more attention, as they contribute to hindering growth and development in Third World countries.

    At the Summit, President Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s support for the position of BRICS on the need to focus on collective, fair and equitable global development. “Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard here today, and all that has been taking place in BRICS. 

    The next issues are financial restructuring and re-evaluation of the global structure,” he told the BRICS member–states, pointing out that environmental deprivation, climate crisis, and global healthcare inequalities were shared concerns pertinent to Africa.

    “Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” the President said, adding: “The African continent is creating the path through the African carbon market initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that eventually, COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to embrace a healthy global environment strategically.”

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

    President Tinubu affirmed this much: “Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making. So, issues such as financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental ruin, and global healthcare must be resolved. 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 global renewal framework and achieving universal health coverage for all.”

    It is instructive that President Tinubu has used every opportunity on the international scene to demand an equitable global trade, accessible financing, sustainable technology transfer, and climate justice. 

    He canvassed the same issues while addressing the 78th United Nations’ General Assembly in New York in September 2023, at UN Climate Change Conference, otherwise called COP28 in Dubai, United Arabs Emirates, in January 2024 and at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, also in January 2024, where he was represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, among other international forums.

    Indeed, the gains of attending the recent BRICS Summit and President Tinubu’s friendship with President Da Silva are already manifesting in many respects. Firstly, on the heels of President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil last year, Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, visited Nigeria this year to build on the agreements reached between Presidents Tinubu and Da Silva, particularly on the Green Initiative.

    Secondly, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, met with his counterpart from Brazil, where he was informed that President Lula had given a firm directive to Brazilian agricultural institutions and companies to invest heavily in Nigeria.

    Even back at home, the impact has been no less. 

    On June 25, 2025, the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer represented by Dr. Dahiru Mohammed officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with Brazil’s renowned Campos Group to provide technical expertise for the Irrigate Nigeria programme.

    For some years now, agriculture has been among the highest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP. This collaboration is thus a big boost for Nigeria’s quest to strengthen the agricultural value chain and reduce import dependency through large-scale technology-enabled farming. Campos Group, known for its central role in Brazil’s agricultural revolution under the PRODECER Programme, brings over four decades of expertise in developing irrigated agricultural zones and transforming previously under-utilised lands into thriving agro-industrial hubs.

    There is much more. But to further reinforce these agreements and consolidate the initial gains, signing a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil has become imperative. 

    This is an ample pathway to bilateral cooperation in various aviation areas, including maintenance, mutual flight operations, and environmental certification. We can glean from the foregoing what a full membership of BRICS would yield for Nigeria. Notwithstanding President Trump’s misguided threat, it will help the country reap the full benefits of associating with the group.

    • -Rahman is Senior Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Special Duties.
  • Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on BRICS as leaders meet in Brazil

    Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on BRICS as leaders meet in Brazil

    President Donald Trump said the U.S. would impose an additional 10 percent tariff on countries aligning themselves with the “anti-American policies” of the BRICS group of developing nations.

    Leaders of the BRICS group kicked off a summit in Brazil on Sunday.

    With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive “America First” approach of the U.S. president, the BRICS is presenting itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars.

    In a joint statement released on Sunday afternoon from the opening of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, the group warned that the rise in tariffs threatened global trade, continuing its veiled criticism of Trump’s tariff policies.

    Hours later, Trump warned he would punish countries seeking to join the grouping.

    “Any Country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 per cent Tariff.

    “There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

    Trump did not clarify or expand on the “anti-American policies” reference in his post.

    Trump’s administration is seeking to finalise dozens of trade deals with a wide range of countries before his July 9 deadline for imposing significant “retaliatory tariffs.”

    The original BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and China at its first summit in 2009.

    The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as members.

    Saudi Arabia has held off formally joining, according to sources, while another 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in the BRICS, either as full members or partners.

    Indonesia’s senior economic minister, Airlangga Hartarto, is in Brazil for the BRICS summit and is scheduled to go to the U.S. on Monday to oversee tariff talks, an official told Reuters. India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    In opening remarks to the summit earlier, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva drew a parallel with the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, a group of developing nations that resisted joining either side of a polarised global order.

    “BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told leaders.

    “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”

    BRICS nations now represent more than half the world’s population and 40 per cent of its economic output, Lula noted in remarks on Saturday to business leaders, warning of rising protectionism.

    Expansion of the bloc has added diplomatic weight to the gathering, which aspires to speak for developing nations across the Global South, strengthening calls for reforming global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund.

    “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date,” Lula said in his remarks, which highlighted the failure of U.S.-led wars in the Middle East.

    Stealing some thunder from this year’s summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his premier in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending online due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to his war in Ukraine.

    Still, several heads of state were gathered for discussions at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art on Sunday and Monday, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    However, there are questions about the shared goals of an increasingly heterogeneous BRICS group, which has grown to include regional rivals along with major emerging economies.

    In the joint statement, the leaders called attacks against Iran’s “civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities” a “violation of international law.”

    The group expressed “grave concern” for the Palestinian people over Israeli attacks on Gaza, and condemned what the joint statement called a “terrorist attack” in India-administered Kashmir.

    The group voiced its support for Ethiopia and Iran to join the World Trade Organisation, while calling to urgently restore its ability to resolve trade disputes.

    Read Also: FBI moves to arrest Lagos fraudster over N460m Trump inauguration crypto scam

    The leaders’ joint statement backed plans to pilot a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative within the group’s New Development Bank to lower financing costs and boost investment in member states, as first reported by Reuters last week.

    In a separate statement following a discussion of artificial intelligence, the leaders called for protections against unauthorised use of AI to avoid excessive data collection and allow mechanisms for fair payment.

    Brazil, which also hosts the United Nations climate summit in November, has seized on both gatherings to highlight how seriously developing nations are tackling climate change, while Trump has slammed the brakes on U.S. climate initiatives.

    China and the UAE signaled in meetings with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in Rio that they plan to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions about funding conservation of endangered forests around the world. (Reuters/NAN)

  • World can’t remain indifferent to Gaza genocide, says Brazilian president

    World can’t remain indifferent to Gaza genocide, says Brazilian president

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for action against Israel, saying the world cannot remain indifferent to the Gaza genocide.

    Speaking at the plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the president said: “We cannot remain indifferent to the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians and the use of hunger as a weapon of war.”

    His comments came as Gaza truce talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar, with Hamas saying late Friday that it had submitted a “positive” response to mediators regarding a recent Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal.

    Brazil is playing host to a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies on July 6 and 7 during which pressing topics like Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and trade tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to be handled with caution.

    Analysts and diplomats have said the lack of cohesion in an enlarged BRICS, which doubled in size last year, may affect its ability to become another pole in world affairs. They also see the summit’s moderate agenda as an attempt by member countries to stay off Trump’s radar.

    President Lula da Silva has some of his priorities, such as debates on artificial intelligence and climate change, front and centre for the talks with key leaders not in attendance.

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    Lula said in his speech yesterday that “we are witnessing the unparalled collapse of multilateralism” and that the meeting is taking place “in the most adverse global scenario” of the four times Brazil has hosted it. He called for the group to promote peace and mediate conflicts.

    “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to the BRICS to contribute to its renovation,” Lula said at the opening of the summit.

    Also yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Brazil to attend the summit of the BRICS economic bloc.

    Russian state news agency RIA reported Lavrov’s arrival in Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 17th edition of the bloc’s summit held under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow’s participation in the summit in late June, later announcing on Friday that Russia’s delegation will be led by Lavrov.

    “And  yesterday, the President (Vladimir Putin) will take part via videoconference in the main plenary session of this summit,” Peskov added.

    The two-day 17th BRICS summit commenced yesterday. The acronym BRICS represents the bloc’s original five members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

    Since last year, the bloc has expanded with the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia as full members.

  • Nigeria: Why BRICS observer status matters

    Nigeria: Why BRICS observer status matters

    • By Anagba, Joseph Obidi

    Sir: The countries that comprises BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as well as its six coalition members (Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates UAE, Iran and Saudi Arabia, pending) and Indonesia which joined in 2024 are an informal grouping of emerging economies (mostly in the Global South, save for Russia) are hoping to increase their sway in the global order. Established in 2009, BRICS was founded on the premise that international institutions were overly dominated by Western powers and had to cease to serve developing countries. The bloc has sought to coordinate its member’s economic development and diplomatic policies, new found financial institutions and reduce dependence on the US Dollar.

    The term was originally coined by Goldman Sachs economist, Jim O’Neil in a 2001 research paper, in which he argued that the growth of what was then the “BRIC” countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) was poised to challenge the dominant Group of Seven (G7) wealthy economies to build an alternative to replace World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and push for reform in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

    In its 2024 Summit in Kaza, Russia, the following countries were invited as partners and observers, they include Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Nigeria. Their classification as partner nations allows them to participate in the 2025 BRICS Summit holding from July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a focus on Global Governance reform as well as cooperation among Global South Community.

    One of the most visible opportunities of participation is trade diversification which exposes Nigeria to large fast growing markets beyond our traditional Western partners in US, EU, and UK. It also offers potentials for increased exports (oil, gas, agricultural products services) imports of machinery, manufactured goods and technology. Another advantage of joining up with the BRICS coalition is that it will open up Nigeria to access to loans and infrastructure funding from BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) which serves as a potential counterbalance to the traditional lenders such as IMF, World Bank etc. possibly with fewer political conditions.

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    Furthermore, BRICS offers Nigeria investment inflows, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from BRICS nations, particularly China and India in critical sectors like infrastructure (rails, ports and power) manufacturing and agriculture (potential investment access in processing and storage). In addition, Nigeria will collaborate with BRICS member states known for their technological advancement and skill set development where our vibrant human resources and youths can acquire latest skills in ICT, fintech, agro-tech, and renewable energy with this leading industry partners especially from India and China. Nigeria potential admission into the BRICS fold could enhance its participation in the body’s initiatives to reduce reliance on the dollars for trade and finance, mitigating forex volatility risk for Nigeria.

    Nigeria invitation to the coalition could bolster its political and strategic relevance in a multi-polar World Order. BRICS represent a push for a less Western dominated global system. Nigeria could leverage membership for greater voice in global governance, especially on reforms in the United Nations Security Council, World Trade Organisation (WTO) on trade deficit, tariffs and climate change re-negotiation.

    In a world of war-craft and geopolitics, Nigeria’s invitation could strengthen it alignment with other developing economies on common interests like fair trade, climate justice and seek development models from some of the coalition members. Nigeria’s partner’s status could serve as a tool to diversify diplomatic ties and reduce over reliance on western powers, enhancing strategic autonomy. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous black nation on the planet, joining BRICS could solidify Nigeria’s continental leadership credentials working along South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia as well as Uganda to find home grown solutions to Africa’s numerous problems.

    On a whole, BRICS presents Nigeria with a complex mix of significant opportunities and substantial risk. Engagement with the bloc is inevitable due to its economic weights, but the form and depth of that engagement either in (full membership, observer status, or bilateral ties) remain contentious. Nigeria’s decision will hinge on a careful assessment of its national interest, domestic priorities, risk tolerance, and the evolving geo-political landscape. The debate reflects Nigeria’s broader struggles to define its role in a fast shifting multipolar world.

    •Anagba, Joseph Obidi.

    Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution,

    Abuja.

  • Nigeria seeks stronger BRICS health collaboration

    Nigeria seeks stronger BRICS health collaboration

    Nigeria has called for deeper collaboration among BRICS countries in the face of mounting global health challenges, citing the urgent need for shared solutions to issues that no country can tackle alone.

    The BRICS is a group formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.

    It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South and for coordination in the most diverse areas.

    Speaking at the 15th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Brasília, Brazil, on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the interconnected nature of today’s world requires a united front to build resilient health systems and achieve equitable outcomes.

    Dr. Salako noted that the global health landscape is under pressure from rising non-communicable diseases, climate change, pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and worsening disparities in access to healthcare.

    These, he said, are further compounded by pollution, conflict, and shrinking international funding, adding, “These challenges call for stronger South-South cooperation and more global solidarity to share best practices and resources”.

    He underscored that the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic remain relevant, having revealed how interconnected economies and societies are.

    “Until everybody is safe, nobody is safe,” he warned, emphasizing that global travel, trade, and interdependence mean that health security and pandemic preparedness must be tackled across borders.

    He said BRICS, representing some of the world’s most populous countries, offers a unique platform to work together on solutions to these pressing issues.

    The Minister said Nigeria’s domestic health reform efforts align strongly with BRICS priorities, noting, “Under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the government is pursuing four pillars of effective governance, a resilient and equitable health system, enhanced health security, and the unlocking of local healthcare value chains.

    “These efforts are backed by a focus on strategic financing, digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and institutional work culture improvement”.

    He revealed that Nigeria is increasing its investment in local pharmaceutical production, diagnostics, and other critical health inputs.

    The country is also revitalising its primary healthcare system, expanding social health insurance, developing its phytomedicine resources, and scaling up the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve service delivery.

    On disease prevention, Salako announced that Nigeria has vaccinated over 14 million girls aged 9 to 14 with the HPV vaccine as of May 2025, achieving the highest single-round HPV vaccination record globally.

    He also noted the country’s budgetary allocation of an additional $200 million to sustain key disease control programs in the face of declining overseas development assistance, particularly for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

    According to him, Nigeria is also tackling non-communicable diseases by addressing their social and behavioural determinants and implementing policies to reduce risk factors.

    Nigeria, he said, currently leads the implementation of the WHO PEN-PLUS strategy in Africa to combat diseases such as sickle cell disease, Type 1 diabetes, childhood cancers, and rheumatic heart disease.

    Calling for expanded cooperation, Salako invited partnerships with BRICS countries in pharmaceutical research, phytomedicine development, and academic exchanges.

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    He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening domestic capacities for producing vaccines, drugs, and medical devices.

    “In the context of our shared humanity and common challenges, we must work together for the betterment of all.

    “Our collective efforts will complement national efforts and drive progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, leaving no one behind,” he said.

    The Minister further announced that Nigeria will host the next high-level ministerial meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Abuja in June 2026.

  • Nigeria reaffirms commitment to inclusive global order at BRICS meeting

    Nigeria reaffirms commitment to inclusive global order at BRICS meeting

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to an inclusive global order.

    Tuggar spoke in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the BRICS Foreign Affairs meeting.

    The minister, according to his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, spoke on “The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism,” where he highlighted Nigeria’s enduring commitment to a fairer, more inclusive global order.

    “In a world facing complex challenges from climate change and technological disruption to global economic instability, Nigeria stands with BRICS in calling for reforms that reflect today’s realities and empower the Global South,” Tuggar said.

    “Ambassador Tuggar also expressed his profound gratitude to Brazil for the warm invitation and to BRICS for granting Nigeria the status of Partner Country, an affirmation of the bloc’s commitment to inclusive multilateralism.

    “He noted that BRICS offers a viable, collaborative alternative to outdated international structures, pointing to initiatives like the New Development Bank and discussions on a common payment system as signs of a more balanced global order in the making,” the statement further added.

    Tuggar, the statement added, reinforced Nigeria’s alignment with the six priorities of Brazil’s 2025 BRICS Chairmanship, stressing “Nigeria’s readiness to contribute meaningfully in areas such as peace and security, sustainable development, health cooperation, and responsible governance of artificial intelligence.

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    “He further underscored the importance of South-South Cooperation, describing the Global South as not merely a recipient of global policies but a driving force behind inclusive and sustainable solutions. 

    “Nigeria brings a youthful population, a dynamic tech sector, and a strategic geographic position that make it a natural partner in advancing BRICS goals and strengthening intra-African trade under AfCFTA,” he noted.

    The minister called for urgent reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, to reflect the aspirations and realities of the 21st century.

    “Nigeria is ready to help shape a new era of global cooperation, one grounded in equity, solidarity, and mutual respect,” he affirmed.