President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, venue of this year’s BRICS group of nations’ summit, after completing a six-day state visit to St Lucia.
Tinubu touched down at the Rio International Airport on Friday night and was received by the Secretary for Africa & Middle East and the Secretary for Innovation and Commerce.
Bayo Onanuga, Presidential spokesman, in a statement, stated that President Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on the strength of Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’- a membership category short of full status.
He explained further that the Partner status is higher than that of a guest country, as has been the case in the past.
At this year’s summit in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS leaders from fast-growing economies are expected to enhance trade and technology exchange amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are the three African BRICS members.