President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20). The summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, focuses on pressing global issues under the theme: “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”
Tinubu’s delegation includes key members of his cabinet: Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Ms. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Tourism, Culture, and Creativity; Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security; and Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency. The team underscores Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging the summit to advance socio-economic reforms and foster global partnerships.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, serves as the culmination of extensive work conducted throughout the year by Ministerial Meetings, Working Groups, and Engagement Groups. The summit gathers leaders from 19 major economies, including the United States, China, India, and South Africa, as well as invited representatives from the African Union and the European Union.
Key Focus Areas of the 2024 Summit
The Brazilian presidency of the G20 has outlined a robust agenda addressing critical global challenges. These include sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, reforms to global governance structures, and the principles of the digital economy. Climate change, particularly the impact of rising global temperatures, also features prominently.
In his opening remarks, President da Silva declared a three-point priority agenda to combat hunger, poverty, and inequality, with food security being a central theme. Brazil’s leadership aims to align G20 policies with global goals to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030.
Additionally, the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict and the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China are expected to dominate discussions. These pressing issues reflect the G20’s evolving role as a platform for addressing not only economic cooperation but also geopolitical stability.
Nigeria’s Strategic Participation
President Tinubu’s participation in the summit marks a significant opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its international presence and advocate for Africa’s interests. On the sidelines, Tinubu is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders to discuss partnerships aimed at advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms. With a focus on agriculture, food security, and cultural development, Tinubu’s engagements align with the summit’s overarching objectives.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Areias, had earlier emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s involvement, citing shared goals in addressing food security and poverty alleviation. This year’s summit provides Nigeria a platform to showcase its developmental priorities while contributing to the global dialogue on sustainable growth.
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