President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government for the BRICS economic bloc, with a focus on health, climate change, and artificial intelligence governance.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was confirmed that the President’s flight touched down at Galeao Air Force Base at 8:45pm on Friday. He was received by Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, alongside the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture.
President Tinubu, who is in Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, will today attend a bilateral meeting hosted by the Brazilian leader ahead of the main summit sessions on 6 and 7 July.
During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to deliver an address on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and healthcare advancements, with a view to attracting investments in health, agriculture, solid minerals, and alternative energy.
“The summit is an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its health sector reforms and seek partnerships to tackle socially determined diseases affecting our population,” said a senior Nigerian delegation official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The theme of this year’s BRICS summit is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, with deliberations centring on health, artificial intelligence, governance, and climate change.
Ahead of the Leaders’ Summit, BRICS political negotiators held meetings to align commitments towards combating socially determined diseases, strengthening AI governance, and boosting climate finance. Their discussions emphasised practical solutions to structural challenges in the Global South.
“The President is committed to ensuring that Nigeria leverages this summit to strengthen its healthcare system and build resilient partnerships for inclusive growth,” said the statement.
