GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORM NECESSARY FOR EQUITY, INCLUSION – TINUBU

President Bola Tinubu has called for a comprehensive reevaluation of the current global governance structure, financial, and healthcare systems. He emphasized the need for greater equity and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa. Tinubu made this call at the 17th meeting of the Global South and the Emerging Economies bloc, BRICS, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, quoted Tinubu as saying Nigeria supports the BRICS position 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,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu highlighted environmental degradation, climate crisis, and global healthcare inequalities as shared concerns pertinent to Africa. “Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he added. He emphasized the need for a new path of justice anchored in fairness, sustainable technology transfer, and accessible financing.

“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,” Tinubu stated. Bayo Onanuga further quoted Tinubu as saying, “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.”

Tinubu also emphasized the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases as 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,” he said.

Bayo Onanuga noted that Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strategic collaboration for sustainable and inclusive development. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, accompanied Tinubu to the summit. Nigeria became the ninth partner country of BRICS in January 2025.