TINUBU RETURNS FROM DIPLOMATIC TOUR, MAKES LANDMARK CASE FOR AFRICA AT BRICS SUMMIT

President Bola Tinubu arrived back in Abuja early Sunday July 13th after completing a 15-day diplomatic tour of Saint Lucia and Brazil. Touching down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 1:30 a.m., the president was welcomed by senior government officials, including NSA Nuhu Ribadu and Ministers Abubakar Bagudu and Bello Matawalle.
In Saint Lucia, Tinubu met with leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), forging new diplomatic ties under Nigeria’s South-South cooperation strategy. He then proceeded to Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where he participated as head of a partner nation.
At the summit, Tinubu co-chaired a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and delivered an address advocating a global governance reform agenda centered on equity, environmental justice, and inclusive financial systems.
He emphasized Africa’s minimal carbon footprint despite bearing the brunt of climate change impacts and promoted regional initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative. Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s domestic reforms in renewable energy and universal healthcare, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s global role as one of BRICS’ nine partner countries.