Vice-President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
Nigeria is expected to use the summit to strengthen its economic and diplomatic relations with emerging economies.
According to a statement by the Vice-President’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima will participate in high-level discussions and engage leaders from BRICS member and partner countries.
Nigeria to Seek More Trade and Investment
Nigeria is expected to use the summit to explore opportunities in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, technology and innovation.
The country will also seek stronger cooperation with other nations of the Global South.
Shettima is expected to participate in plenary sessions focusing on global economic growth, multilateral cooperation and shared development priorities.
He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders and senior officials from participating countries.
The meetings are expected to focus on expanding economic and diplomatic cooperation with Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Role in BRICS
Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025.
Its participation provides Nigeria with another platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and engage emerging economies on trade, investment and development.
The Nigerian government has said its BRICS engagement supports President Tinubu’s efforts to expand international economic partnerships and attract foreign investment.
Nigeria is also seeking wider markets for products from sectors such as agriculture, energy and solid minerals.
India Hosts 2026 BRICS Summit
India is hosting the 2026 BRICS Summit under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The summit will focus on political and security cooperation, economic and financial partnerships, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The 2026 summit also marks 20 years since the establishment of BRICS.
Shettima’s participation comes shortly after his return from Angola, where he attended the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
His attendance at the BRICS summit is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s engagement with emerging economies and create opportunities for increased trade and investment.
