Nigeria Reaffirms Support For WTO, Multilateralism At BRICS Summit

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the World Trade Organisation and the multilateral trading system, with Vice President Kashim Shettima urging greater global cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth.

Shettima made the position known while representing President Bola Tinubu at the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.

He stressed that countries could not achieve sustainable prosperity by isolating themselves from the global economy, emphasising the importance of cooperation, dialogue and rules-based international trade.

The Vice President also highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with emerging economies and advancing the interests of developing countries within global economic institutions.

Nigeria joined BRICS as a partner country in January 2025, giving the country an additional platform to deepen economic and diplomatic engagement with major emerging economies.

Shettima’s participation in the summit is expected to further Nigeria’s interests in areas including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, technology and innovation.

The Nigerian delegation also includes Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole and Director-General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who attended the summit’s discussions on global trade.

The Vice President made a case for strengthening multilateral institutions while stressing that developing economies should have a greater voice in decisions shaping the international economic system.

He also highlighted the contribution of Nigerians and Africans living abroad, describing migration as an important driver of development, innovation and economic growth.

The remarks came as BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which reaffirmed support for WTO reform and a rules-based multilateral trading system.

The declaration called for the restoration of a fully functioning WTO dispute-settlement mechanism and criticised unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that undermine global trade.

BRICS leaders also called for greater representation of developing economies in global institutions and stronger cooperation among countries of the Global South.

Nigeria’s position at the summit reflects its broader effort to maintain relationships with both traditional economic partners and emerging powers while pursuing greater access to international markets.

The country is also seeking to use its BRICS partnership to attract investment, expand markets for Nigerian products and strengthen South-South cooperation.

The summit provides Nigeria with an opportunity to engage major economies on reforms to the global trading system while advancing its economic diplomacy objectives.

Shettima’s participation therefore underscores Nigeria’s continued support for multilateralism and its desire for a more inclusive global economic order.