Shettima returns from BRICS summit, advances Nigeria-India economic ties

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 return followed his participation in high-level sessions at the summit and bilateral engagements aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.

A major highlight of the visit was Shettima’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit in New Delhi.

According to India’s Prime Minister’s Office, Modi and Shettima reviewed the multifaceted India-Nigeria relationship and expressed satisfaction with progress across several areas. Their discussions covered trade and investment, defence and security, energy partnership, agriculture, health and digital technologies.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including priorities of the Global South.

The Indian Prime Minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria and deepening India’s engagement with Africa, while Shettima expressed appreciation for India’s development experience and contribution to capacity building and economic development in Nigeria.

According to Nkwocha, the discussions between Shettima and Modi also covered renewed crude oil trade, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other strategic sectors.

The engagement was part of Nigeria’s broader effort to deepen economic cooperation with India and other BRICS member and partner countries.

Shettima also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during the visit.

Nkwocha said the meeting reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and the pursuit of a more inclusive global economic order.

At the BRICS summit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s message advocating reforms of global governance and international financial institutions.

He also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area, while highlighting opportunities for deeper economic engagement with emerging economies.

Nigeria used its participation in the summit to strengthen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries across agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.

The Federal Government had earlier said the summit would provide Nigeria with an additional platform to strengthen partnerships in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, technology and innovation, while promoting greater cooperation among countries of the Global South.

The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, hosted by India, was held in New Delhi under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Nigeria participated as a BRICS partner country, a status it acquired in January 2025.

Shettima had led a high-level Nigerian delegation to the summit comprising Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and other senior government officials.

The summit provided Nigeria an opportunity to engage leaders and representatives of major emerging economies on trade, investment, development finance, technology, industrial development and the reform of global governance institutions.

The Vice President’s participation also followed Nigeria’s stated objective of using its BRICS partnership to expand South-South cooperation and create greater opportunities for economic development.

Nkwocha said the high-level engagements reflected Nigeria’s efforts to advance its economic and diplomatic interests while deepening relationships with India, BRICS members and other partner countries.