Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New Delhi, India, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
Senior Special Assistant to President on Information and Communication (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, stated this in a press release on Friday.
Nkwocha said the summit is part of Nigeria’s efforts to deepen bilateral relations, expand trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen cooperation with member and partner countries of the bloc.
The summit is being held under the theme: “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
“VP Shettima is leading a high-level Nigerian delegation comprising the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 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, amongst others,” Nkwocha said.
According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who spoke ahead of the sumnit, said Nigeria would explore new partnerships and opportunities in agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, trade, the digital economy and other critical sectors.
Nkwocha said Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria would also draw lessons from India’s experience in deploying technology and artificial intelligence to create opportunities for its large youth population.
“India is firm in its expertise in agriculture and, of course, even in the digital economy. In fact, prior to this, we had a session dealing with women in the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and we are leveraging on India’s greatest strength, which is in the engagement of its youth population,” Nkwocha quoted Odumegwu-Ojukwu as having said.
The spokesman for the vice president also said that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, spoke saying the President Tinubu administration is working to deepen Nigeria’s trade relationship with India, which she noted had previously stood at about $14 billion.
Nkwocha said Oduwole disclosed that major investors of Indian origin have indicated interest in meeting the Nigerian delegation, adding that Nigeria also maintains important trade relationships with several BRICS countries.
“And so, deepening those relationships will further strengthen the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. India used to buy Nigerian oil quite a lot, so we are looking at how to expand that with everything going on in the world,” Dr Oduwole was quoted as having said.
Nkwocha said Senator Shettima would join BRICS leaders and other countries to discuss global issues as well as participate on bilateral engagements.
“At the summit, Senator Shettima will join leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as invited international organisations, for high-level discussions on inclusive global growth, resilience, innovation and sustainable development.
“The Vice President will also participate in bilateral engagements aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, industrial development and other areas of mutual benefit,” Nkwocha said.
Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since engaged the platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and broaden its relations with major emerging economies.
The Nigerian will also participate in the BRICS open session and other activities scheduled on the sidelines of the summit.
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