Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria following his participation in the BRICS summit held in India. During the diplomatic mission, the Vice President represented President Bola Tinubu to advocate for the restructuring of international financial systems and to promote Nigeria’s economic role within the African continent.
The Vice President’s mission, which included advocating for the reform of global governance and financial institutions, focused on ensuring that emerging economies have a more significant voice in decision-making processes that affect global markets.
Shettima used the platform to position Nigeria as a critical gateway for international investors seeking access to the expanding African market. He specifically cited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a primary mechanism through which Nigeria can facilitate trade and industrial growth across the continent.
Nigeria’s economic positioning and global governance
The call for financial institution reform comes at a time when many developing nations are seeking more equitable access to credit and more representative leadership within organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. By addressing these issues at the BRICS summit, the Nigerian government is attempting to align itself with the interests of other major emerging economies.
The BRICS bloc, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with several recent invitees, has become increasingly influential in shifting the balance of global economic power. Nigeria’s engagement with the group highlights the administration’s strategy to diversify its diplomatic and economic partnerships, moving beyond traditional Western-centric alliances.
The emphasis on the AfCFTA is part of a broader domestic policy to boost non-oil exports and strengthen intra-African trade. By presenting Nigeria as a strategic entry point, the Vice President aimed to attract foreign direct investment that can be scaled across the continent, leveraging Nigeria’s large population and industrial potential.
The diplomatic mission in India is expected to lead to further bilateral discussions between Nigeria and BRICS member states regarding trade facilitation and technical cooperation. The Presidency has yet to release a full itinerary of the specific bilateral agreements reached during the summit.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
