Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived back in Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit held in New Delhi, India.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Shettima took part in the summit’s high-level deliberations and engaged in bilateral meetings focused on promoting Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests.
One of the major engagements was a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions centred on strengthening crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceutical development, defence cooperation, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other areas of mutual interest.
The Vice President also held talks with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during which he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and efforts towards a more inclusive global economic system.
Representing President Tinubu at the summit, Shettima delivered Nigeria’s position on the need to reform global governance structures and international financial institutions. He also presented Nigeria as a strategic gateway to Africa’s growing market, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The summit further provided an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen partnerships with BRICS member and partner nations in key sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
