Shettima returns to Nigeria after BRICS summit in India

Abdullateef Fowewe

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.

This was made known in a statement released on Tuesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.

Shettima’s visit featured high-level engagements focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic relations with India, BRICS members and partner countries.

During the summit, the Vice President met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss areas including crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech and renewable energy.

The statement said both leaders discussed “renewed crude oil trade” and other strategic sectors aimed at deepening Nigeria-India relations.

Shettima also held talks with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and a more inclusive global economic order.

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

He also positioned Nigeria as “a gateway to Africa’s expanding market” under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

According to the statement, Nigeria used the summit to strengthen cooperation with BRICS member and partner countries in agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.