The Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi this weekend to expand economic partnerships.
According to a State House press release by Stanley Nkwocha, the engagement aims to boost bilateral ties in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, technology and innovation.
Nigeria, a BRICS partner country since January 2025, seeks greater South-South cooperation with major emerging economies on development finance and global governance reform.
The summit, set for September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam, marks 20 years of BRICS under India’s chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
BRICS members and partners account for about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of trade, offering Nigeria access to large markets.
Shettima will join plenary sessions on economic growth and multilateralism, plus bilateral talks focused on non-oil sectors such as agriculture, energy and minerals.
The move aligns with Tinubu’s push to attract foreign investment and open markets for Nigerian products amid efforts to diversify the economy.
Leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin are among those expected, underscoring the grouping’s growing influence after recent expansions.
