Rio de Janeiro, July 7, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for restructuring of global governance, finance and healthcare systems to take care of developing countries.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday at the ongoing 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He said that the current global institutions and economic architecture were outdated and disproportionately to the disadvantage of nations in the Global South.
“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare,” he said.
Tinubu said without fairness and inclusivity in the design of global solutions, especially for the continent’s youth population, which comprises 70 percent of Nigeria’s citizens, the future would remain imbalanced and unjust.
“As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies, but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future.
“Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all,” Tinubu said.
He also called for greater international focus on addressing non-communicable diseases, which he described as a shared global health burden that needs urgent collective attention.
Tinubu stressed the need to address pressing global issues such as environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and growing inequalities in healthcare which continue to impede development and prosperity across Africa.
He said the imbalance in climate responsibilities and the disproportionate impact of climate change is being felt by African countries.
“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he said
The president stressed the need for a new global development model rooted in equity and justice, one that includes sustainable technology transfer and accessible financing for vulnerable economies.
“The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall.
“We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment”, he said.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to climate action, renewable energy, urban resilience, and universal health coverage, aligning with Nigeria’s Vision 2050 and its nationally determined contributions under global climate agreements.
This is Nigeria’s first outing at the BRICS Summit as a Partner country. The country’s delegation to the summit includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun
