Nigeria Joins Global Economic Powers at Brazil G20 Summit
Tinubu arrives Rio for discussions on food security, climate action and global governance reforms
Landing in Rio de Janeiro at 11:03 pm local time on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu leads a heavyweight Nigerian delegation to the 19th G20 Summit of Heads of State and Government. The presidential team includes key ministers responsible for foreign affairs, livestock development, arts and culture, and agriculture, alongside the National Intelligence Agency chief, signalling Nigeria’s broad engagement agenda.
The two-day summit, themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” convenes under Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s leadership. Brazil’s presidency has placed particular emphasis on addressing global hunger and food security, aligning with their ambitious goal of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030.
Against a backdrop of pressing international challenges, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and U.S.-China tensions, the summit promises substantive discussions on reforming global governance structures and advancing sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental spheres.
This summit marks a significant moment for African representation in global economic governance, as it’s the first G20 gathering since the African Union’s admission as a permanent member. Nigeria’s presence alongside traditional economic powerhouses like the U.S., China, and India highlighting the continent’s growing role in shaping global economic policy.
President Tinubu’s participation extends beyond the main summit agenda, with planned bilateral meetings aimed at advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic interests. These side discussions present opportunities to strengthen international partnerships and attract investment to key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The invitation, extended to President Tinubu in August by Brazilian Ambassador Carlos Areias, emphasizes the strategic importance Brazil places on collaboration with Nigeria, especially in addressing global food security challenges.
The summit runs from November 18 to 19, bringing together leaders from the world’s largest economies and representatives from the European Union, collectively representing over 80% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.
The Nigerian delegation includes:
– Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs
– Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development
– Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Tourism, Culture, and Creativity
– Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security
– Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency
