President Bola Tinubu has called for stronger investment cooperation between Nigeria and BRICS countries, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. The President made the call at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 13, 2026, in a speech delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu said Nigeria sees its engagement with BRICS as an opportunity to attract fresh investment, gain access to technology, strengthen human capital and deepen South-South cooperation. The Federal Government is particularly seeking partnerships in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and industrialisation, with development finance expected to support these areas.
The President also stressed the need for Nigeria to move beyond being a consumer of technology and instead develop the capacity to create and own it. Shettima, speaking on Tinubu’s behalf, highlighted opportunities in AI, digital public infrastructure, fintech, cybersecurity, biotechnology and telecommunications, noting that domestic technological capabilities and intellectual property would be critical to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
Nigeria is also positioning itself as a major gateway to the African market, leveraging its large and youthful population and its role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Tinubu said government initiatives such as the 3MTT programme, Project BRIDGE and national AI programmes are aimed at building digital skills, supporting entrepreneurship and expanding technology-enabled businesses across the country.
Nigeria formally became a BRICS partner country in January 2025, joining a growing group of nations seeking deeper cooperation with the bloc. The partnership gives Nigeria opportunities to participate in selected BRICS activities and pursue stronger ties in trade, investment and financial cooperation. With the government now pushing for greater investment in technology, critical minerals and advanced industries, Nigeria is looking to turn its BRICS partnership into a platform for jobs, innovation and broader economic transformation.
source: nairametrics
