Shettima to represent Tinubu as Nigeria targets new markets, investment at BRICS summit in India

Nigeria is set to leverage its participation at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, to deepen economic ties with some of the world’s largest emerging economies and attract fresh investments into key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu at the summit, scheduled to hold this weekend at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where Nigeria is expected to pursue stronger partnerships in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, technology and innovation, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

The summit, hosted under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship with the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as other invited dignitaries.

Nkwocha said Nigeria’s participation would provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral relations with key international partners and advance the country’s strategic interests.

Shettima is expected to participate in plenary and high-level sessions focusing on global economic growth, multilateral cooperation and shared development priorities.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders and senior officials of participating countries, with discussions expected to centre on opportunities for deeper economic and diplomatic cooperation with Nigeria.

The Presidency said Nigeria’s engagement was particularly significant as the country seeks to strengthen South-South cooperation and expand access to trade, investment and development finance.

Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025, opening another channel for the country to engage major emerging economies on economic development and the reform of global governance institutions.

The administration said the engagement was in line with Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s international economic partnerships, attract investment and expand markets for Nigerian products, especially in agriculture, energy, solid minerals and other non-oil sectors.

The summit also comes as BRICS marks 20 years since its establishment and continues to expand its network of member and partner countries while seeking greater practical cooperation among them.

Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria shortly after the summit.