Nigeria’s participation at the recently concluded 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro is already yielding tangible outcomes, as President Bola Tinubu renewed his push for equitable global trade, agricultural transformation, and stronger South-South cooperation. The summit, which brought together leaders from major emerging economies, also drew the ire of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened punitive tariffs on nations aligning with the bloc’s growing anti-unilateralism stance.
President Tinubu, attending as a partner country representative following Nigeria’s BRICS engagement status, used the summit to reinforce Nigeria’s international positioning, calling for global financial reforms, climate justice, and inclusive development for emerging economies. Accompanied by key cabinet members and governors, Tinubu held bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, focusing on agricultural development, trade, aviation, and environmental cooperation.
During the high-level discussions, Tinubu emphasized the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks stalling agricultural progress in Nigeria, stressing that the government is reforming the sector to enhance food security and exports. President Lula, in response, pledged swift ratification of bilateral agreements and removal of administrative delays. He also promised to deepen collaboration with Nigeria in areas such as the Green Initiative and technology transfer.
While BRICS nations discussed IMF reforms and criticized tariff policies they view as destabilizing to global trade, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, threatening an additional 10% tariff on any nation aligning with BRICS against U.S. interests. This echoed his 2024 warning to impose 100% tariffs if BRICS advanced its proposal to launch a new currency to rival the U.S. dollar.
Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Nigeria’s engagement with BRICS continues to gather momentum. President Tinubu restated his call for financial restructuring and global inclusivity during the summit, stating: “Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We cannot be passive participants in global decision-making.”
The summit also facilitated progress in Nigeria’s agricultural diplomacy. On the sidelines, Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture chief met with his Brazilian counterpart to discuss President Lula’s directive for Brazilian agricultural investment in Nigeria. Additionally, on June 25, 2025, the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer signed a strategic partnership with Brazil’s Campos Group under the “Irrigate Nigeria” programme—aimed at revolutionizing farming through technology-enabled, large-scale irrigation.
Campos Group, known for its success in Brazil’s agricultural transformation under the PRODECER programme, is expected to bring technical expertise that could significantly improve Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Observers note that Nigeria’s growing ties with BRICS and Brazil are also poised to deliver benefits in aviation. A pending Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil is expected to pave the way for mutual operations, maintenance collaboration, and environmental certification in the aviation sector.
The Nigerian President also used the summit to raise concerns over healthcare inequity, climate vulnerability, and youth empowerment—issues he has consistently addressed on international platforms, including the UN General Assembly and COP28.
Civil society groups and economic analysts view Tinubu’s engagements at BRICS as a strategic move to diversify Nigeria’s global alliances and assert the country’s interests in a rapidly evolving international order.
Despite Trump’s tariff threats, senior presidential aide, Tunde Rahman, insists that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from its BRICS involvement. He argues that full membership could further accelerate investment, technology transfer, and multilateral trade opportunities, especially as global powers reevaluate long-standing economic alignments.
As BRICS continues to attract new partners and expand its geopolitical reach, Nigeria’s proactive engagement signals a shift towards multipolar diplomacy that prioritizes local development goals over traditional power alignments.
