Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
Shettima’s return was confirmed on Tuesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
During his stay in India, the Vice President participated in high-level summit sessions and held a series of bilateral meetings focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic relationships.
One of the major engagements was his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where discussions centred on expanding economic cooperation between Nigeria and India.
The talks covered several areas, including renewed crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech and renewable energy.
The Vice President also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during the summit.
The engagement provided an opportunity for Nigeria to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and advocate for a more inclusive global economic system.
Shettima, while representing President Tinubu, also delivered Nigeria’s position on the need to reform global governance structures and international financial institutions.
Nigeria seeks bigger role in global trade
At the summit, the Nigerian delegation promoted the country as a potential gateway to Africa’s expanding market, particularly through the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The government also used the BRICS gathering to pursue stronger partnerships with member and partner countries across several strategic sectors.
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These areas included agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
The engagements formed part of the Tinubu administration’s broader push to attract investment, deepen international partnerships and expand Nigeria’s economic opportunities beyond traditional areas of cooperation.
Shettima’s participation in the summit also provided an avenue for Nigeria to strengthen ties with emerging global economic powers and explore opportunities for greater collaboration in trade, technology and development.
With his return, the Vice President is expected to continue with his official responsibilities in Nigeria following the high-level diplomatic engagements in New Delhi.