By Ayomide Otitoju
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
Shettima participated in high-level sessions and held bilateral meetings focused on advancing Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests, according to a statement issued Tuesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.
During the visit, Shettima met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions covering crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other strategic sectors.
The Vice President also met with World Trade Organisation Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, where they reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and a more inclusive global economic order.
At the summit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s message calling for reforms to global governance structures and international financial institutions.
He also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s growing market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Nigeria used the summit to strengthen ties with BRICS member and partner countries in areas including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
