Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
Shettima’s visit featured high-level engagements focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic relations with India and other BRICS member and partner countries.
During his stay, the Vice President participated in the summit’s high-level sessions and held bilateral meetings aimed at advancing Nigeria’s interests in trade, investment, technology and other strategic sectors.
One of the major engagements was a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where both leaders discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas including crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech and renewable energy.
Shettima also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, where discussions centred on Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and efforts to promote a more inclusive global economic system.
At the BRICS summit, the Vice President delivered President Tinubu’s message calling for reforms to global governance structures and international financial institutions.
He also presented Nigeria as a strategic gateway to Africa’s expanding market, particularly through opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Nigerian delegation used the summit to strengthen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries across several sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
The engagements formed part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to attract foreign investment, expand trade opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s strategic partnerships with emerging global economies.
With his return to Nigeria, Shettima is expected to continue with domestic engagements and follow-up on the outcomes of the high-level meetings held during the India visit.
