By Ameh Gabriel
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – April 30, 2025
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, delivered a strong statement at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive multilateralism and global reform.
Speaking on the theme, “The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism,” Tuggar emphasized the need for a more equitable international system that reflects the realities of the 21st century.
He expressed gratitude to Brazil for its warm hospitality and to BRICS for recognizing Nigeria as a Partner Country a gesture he described as a testament to the bloc’s commitment to global inclusivity.
“In a world grappling with challenges like climate change, technological disruption, and economic instability, Nigeria aligns with BRICS in advocating for reforms that empower the Global South,” he stated.
Tuggar highlighted BRICS initiatives such as the New Development Bank and ongoing discussions on a common payment system as concrete steps toward a more balanced global order. He reiterated Nigeria’s support for the six priorities of Brazil’s 2025 BRICS Chairmanship, noting the country’s willingness to contribute to peace and security, health cooperation, sustainable development, and AI governance.
He further underscored Nigeria’s strategic advantages: a youthful population, a vibrant tech sector, and its pivotal role in advancing intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Calling for urgent reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, Tuggar emphasized that the Global South must be seen not just as a stakeholder but as a force driving sustainable and inclusive development.
“Nigeria is ready to help shape a new era of global cooperation, one grounded in equity, solidarity, and mutual respect,” he concluded.
Alkasim Abdulkadir
Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy
To The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs
