Tinubu to attend G20 leaders summit in Brazil

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday to participate in the 19th G20 Leaders Summit slated for November 18 and 19.

The summit, convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will bring together leaders from the world’s largest economies to discuss critical global issues.

A statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said this year’s summit will focus on the theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” with key discussions on global poverty, hunger, energy transition, and sustainable development.

Tinubu’s participation is at the invitation of the Brazilian leader, who holds the current presidency of the G20.

During the summit, Tinubu  is expected to push for the reform of global governance institutions, an issue Nigeria has consistently championed.

A key area of advocacy for Nigeria is the call for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, a position that has been central to the country’s foreign policy for years.

“This year’s meeting, under the theme, ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,’ will see the participants discuss the fight against hunger and poverty; reform of the Institution of global governance and; sustainable development and Energy Transition,” Onanuga said.

”Nigeria has always strongly advocated for a reform of the global governing institutions, and often presented its impressive credentials as a strong contender for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.”

In addition to the main summit, Tinubu is expected to engage in bilateral talks with other world leaders on the sidelines of the event.

These discussions will focus on advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms, particularly in areas such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

The President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including  Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs; Mukhtar Maiha, minister of livestock development; and Hannatu Musawa, minister of arts, tourism, culture and creativity.

Aliyu Andullahi, minister of state for agriculture and food security; and Mohammed Mohammed, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); will also join Tinubu in Brazil.

The president is expected to return to the country after the summit.