Tinubu seeks BRICS backing for AI, digital infrastructure and critical minerals
By Aboki Forex —
President Bola Tinubu has called for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and BRICS countries in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. The call was made at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 13, 2026, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu said Nigeria sees its engagement with BRICS as a route to attract investment, facilitate technology transfer and develop human capital, while strengthening South-South cooperation. He listed infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and industrialisation as priority areas, supported by development finance.
Beyond trade and investment
The President said Nigeria wants BRICS cooperation to move past conventional trade and investment into technology-driven sectors that can strengthen the country's productive capacity. Shettima said Project BRIDGE is expanding broadband, fibre and digital public services, and Nigeria wants a digital ecosystem that is open, secure and inclusive.
In his words: "As Project BRIDGE expands broadband, fibre and digital public services, we seek an open, secure and inclusive digital ecosystem, advancing innovation, digital trade, responsible artificial intelligence and cyber security."
He also called for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Developing countries, he said, must stop being mere consumers of technology and instead build domestic capabilities, create knowledge and own intellectual property. "A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future," he said.
Gateway to the African market
Nigeria invited BRICS investors to use its position in Africa's expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Tinubu said Nigeria is championing the AfCFTA protocol on digital trade and argued that its large, youthful population makes it a strong market for technology and innovation.
"With a population of 250 million people and an average age of 16.9, Nigeria's greatest asset is its young and dynamic population, whose imagination drives our innovation agenda," he said. He pointed to the 3MTT programme, Project BRIDGE and national AI programmes as vehicles for digital skills, entrepreneurship, research and technology-enabled businesses.
How Nigeria got here
Nigeria formally joined BRICS as a partner country in January 2025. The Brazilian government, which held the bloc's presidency at the time, announced the admission, saying it reflected shared interests in stronger cooperation among Global South countries and reforms to international institutions. Nigeria became the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan. The partner-country category was created at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
Brazil said Nigeria's large population, its position as Africa's most populous country and its role in promoting South-South cooperation made it a natural addition to the expanded framework. Partner status lets Nigeria take part in selected BRICS activities and engage with the bloc's initiatives, with possible openings in trade, investment and cross-border financial cooperation.
BRICS brings together eleven major emerging markets: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. In April 2025, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar expressed Nigeria's support for BRICS efforts to promote a fairer, rules-based international order at the bloc's Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Tuggar also highlighted Nigeria's alignment with BRICS' vision for global financial reform and stronger multilateral cooperation, areas now relevant as the bloc explores better cross-border payments and lower transaction costs among members. Any movement on payment costs and settlement channels matters directly for Nigerian businesses that trade with BRICS economies and for the naira's convertibility push.