President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government for the Global South and Emerging Economic Bloc.
The summit, taking place from July 6 to 7, 2025, brings together leaders of the BRICS group—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to discuss key issues affecting their nations and the wider Global South.
President Tinubu touched down at the Galeao Air Force Base around 8:45 p.m. local time on Friday, July 4. On arrival, he was welcomed with a Guard of Honour, coordinated by the Commander of the base.
In a statement released Saturday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted the arrival, adding that the visit follows an official invitation extended to the Nigerian President by Brazil’s leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Receiving Tinubu at the airport were Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, alongside the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture.
President Tinubu is expected to attend a special bilateral meeting hosted by President Lula da Silva on Saturday, July 5, just before the summit begins. During the two-day event, he will speak at a plenary session where he will share Nigeria’s current efforts to reshape its economy. According to the statement, Tinubu “will attend a plenary session and deliver an address on Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness.”
Beyond speeches, the President will also meet with potential international investors interested in Nigeria’s key sectors. These include agriculture, healthcare, solid minerals, and alternative energy.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” will focus on issues such as climate change, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and global leadership. Tinubu’s delegation includes several Nigerian state governors: Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).
