Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation within the BRICS bloc and advancing the interests of Africa and the Global South at the 18th BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi, India.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of the Federal Government, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, described BRICS at 20 as a critical platform for resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability among emerging economies.
Addressing delegates at the meeting chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ahmed commended the Government and people of India for hosting the gathering and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen engagement with BRICS partners.
He said resilience remains central to Nigeria’s development agenda despite global economic pressures, energy market volatility, and security challenges. According to him, the country has continued reforms aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil by strengthening agriculture, manufacturing, and the services sector.
Ahmed also highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in peacekeeping, mediation, democratic transitions, and collective responses to terrorism and instability across the region.
On innovation, the Permanent Secretary noted that Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem has produced globally recognised fintech solutions, digital platforms, and creative industries. He cited initiatives such as the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) scheme as part of efforts to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He stressed that Nigeria remains committed to inclusive innovation and knowledge-sharing with BRICS countries to accelerate development and bridge technological gaps across continents.
Speaking on cooperation, Ahmed described regional integration as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy, adding that the country has continued to champion the free movement of people and goods within ECOWAS while promoting trade harmonisation and collective security.
He further expressed support for the expansion of the BRICS New Development Bank, describing it as a vital instrument for financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in developing countries.
On sustainability, Ahmed said Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan targets net-zero emissions by 2060 through investments in renewable energy, green finance, and sustainable agriculture. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Permanent Secretary said Nigeria views BRICS as a strategic platform for strengthening South-South cooperation based on inclusion, solidarity, mutual respect, and shared development.
He added that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to reforms aimed at economic diversification, fiscal discipline, and sustainable development.
Ahmed stated that Nigeria stands ready to work with BRICS partners in building a more resilient, innovative, cooperative, and sustainable global order that promotes peace, prosperity, and inclusiveness.
