According to NIVONEWS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a comprehensive overhaul of global governance, financial structures, and healthcare systems to ensure more equity and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.

Speaking on Saturday at the 17th meeting of the Global South and Emerging Economies bloc (BRICS) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tinubu emphasized that issues such as environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and healthcare disparities must be urgently addressed as they continue to impede sustainable growth and development.

This was made known in a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Invited by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s support for BRICS’ stance on promoting inclusive, fair, and collective development at the global level.

“Nigeria aligns with the discussions and resolutions I’ve heard here today. Going forward, the priority must be the restructuring of the global financial system and a reexamination of the governance architecture,” Tinubu stated.

He noted that despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global emissions, the continent bears the brunt of the climate crisis, making it imperative for justice to be pursued in the international climate dialogue.

“Africa contributes the least to global emissions but suffers the most from its consequences,” Tinubu said, underscoring the urgent need for a just transition anchored in equitable technology transfer and accessible financing.

Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts, Tinubu pointed to initiatives like the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall project as proof that the continent is proactively charting a sustainable path. He expressed optimism that the upcoming COP-30 climate conference would further reinforce global commitment to meaningful environmental action.

“Nigeria is fully committed to South-South cooperation. We cannot afford to be passive observers in shaping global decisions around climate change, financial reform, debt relief, and healthcare,” he asserted.

Tinubu stressed the importance of centering development around youth, who make up 70% of Nigeria’s population, adding that Nigeria’s long-term Vision 2050 and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are guiding its climate and economic strategies.

He listed key national efforts, including the expansion of renewable energy, mainstreaming of climate action, investment in nature-based solutions, enhancement of urban resilience, and pursuit of universal health coverage.

On healthcare, Tinubu said tackling non-communicable diseases must remain a global priority, calling on BRICS to serve not just as an alliance of emerging economies but as a hub for innovative, cooperative, and sustainable solutions.

“As we prepare for COP-30 and seek to reinforce global health systems, BRICS must become a platform for solidarity, shared prosperity, and self-reliance,” he said.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to strategic global partnerships that deliver inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.

It will be recalled that on January 17, 2025, Nigeria was formally admitted as a BRICS partner country during Brazil’s pro tempore presidency of the bloc. This makes Nigeria the ninth nation in the newly created partner-country category—alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan—announced at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024.

As Africa’s most populous country and a major regional economy, Nigeria shares many strategic interests with other BRICS member states and seeks to play a more assertive role in shaping the global development agenda.