By Opeyemi Adelakun
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after using his participation in the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi to push a broad economic and diplomatic agenda centred on trade, investment and technology.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, Shettima participated in high-level sessions and held bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s relationships with major emerging economies.
His engagement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly focused on expanding economic cooperation.
The two leaders discussed renewed crude oil trade as well as opportunities in investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech and renewable energy.
The discussions came as Nigeria seeks to deepen economic partnerships beyond traditional areas of cooperation and attract investment into strategic sectors.
Shettima also held talks with WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and reforms aimed at creating a more inclusive global economic order.
At the BRICS summit, Shettima conveyed Tinubu’s call for reforms to global governance and international financial institutions, while presenting Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market.
The Vice President highlighted the opportunities available through the African Continental Free Trade Area, which Nigeria hopes will strengthen its position as a base for businesses seeking access to the wider African market.
Nigeria also deepened its engagement with BRICS member and partner countries in sectors ranging from agriculture and artificial intelligence to digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
The engagements formed part of the government’s broader effort to secure trade and investment partnerships while positioning Nigeria to participate more strongly in emerging global technology and economic networks.
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