Nigeria Calls for Change in Global Institutions at BRICS Summit

The Nigerian government has pushed for changes in global politics and international financial institutions. They want these changes to reflect what different countries are trying to achieve.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made this statement at the ongoing 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.

Mr Shettima spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the Summit on Sunday. He said the international political setup must match the current political and economic realities.

He added that institutions like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) need to be changed. This is to create a fairer and more responsive international political system.

He said, "Nigeria’s call for institutions that reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities" shows the Global South’s demand for a more "inclusive international order."

"The transformation we seek must reach the international system," he said.

"Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and international financial system."

Mr Shettima also asked for better cooperation among BRICS countries. He said that Nigeria aims to promote partnerships that benefit everyone. This will help strengthen relationships and support Africa’s development goals.

"For Nigeria, resilience means building an economy capable of withstanding global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for our people. This is embedded in our Renewed Hope Agenda through reforms that strengthen macroeconomic stability, diversify production, raise productivity, expand infrastructure and human capital, attract investment for more private sector-led growth, and deepen climate resilience."

"Our partnership must create jobs, expand trade, transport technology and strengthen our nation’s productive capacity. We must build a future in which Africa moves from the margins of global development to the frontiers of global growth and innovation," he said.

BRICS is a group of major growing economies that work together on trade, investment, development, and global governance. Nigeria joined as a partner country last year.

Nigeria has previously called BRICS a platform to improve trade, investment, and socio-economic ties with member countries. Mr Shettima repeated this goal at the summit, asking BRICS nations to boost cooperation with Nigeria.

He called for partnership in trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and critical minerals.

Mr Shettima also requested member countries to work with Nigeria in areas like artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing.

He said, "Developing countries must produce technology, create knowledge and own intellectual property. A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future."

"With a population of 250 million people and an average age of 16.9, Nigeria’s greatest asset is its young and dynamic population, whose imagination drives our innovation agenda."

"Nigeria sees cooperation with BRICS as an opportunity for investment, technology transfer, and human capital development," he noted.