Tinubu Heads to Brazil for G20 Leaders’ Summit

President Bola Tinubu is set to leave Abuja on Sunday for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 19th G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled to take place from November 18 to 19, 2024.

This invitation comes at the behest of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who currently presides over the group. Tinubu’s attendance underscores Nigeria’s growing engagement on the global stage, particularly as the country continues to advocate for reforms in global governance institutions.

Agenda and Theme

This year’s G20 Summit, themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” will gather leaders from the world’s 20 largest economies, alongside representatives from the African Union, the European Union, and international financial institutions.

Discussions will focus on:

• Combating hunger and poverty.
• Reforming global governance institutions.
• Sustainable development and energy transition.

Nigeria is expected to push for its longstanding goal of securing a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, leveraging its credentials as a regional power.

Bilateral Meetings

On the summit’s sidelines, Tinubu plans to hold strategic bilateral talks to further Nigeria’s socio-economic reform agenda.

Accompanying Delegation

President Tinubu will be accompanied by key government officials, including:

• Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
• Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha.
• Minister of Art, Tourism, Culture, and Creativity, Hannatu Musawa.
• Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi.
• Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

Foreign Engagements

This marks Tinubu’s first official visit to Brazil and his 31st international trip since assuming office 17 months ago. Over this period, the president has visited 16 countries, spending a cumulative 125 days abroad and logging over 267 hours of flight time.

His itinerary has included notable visits to global power centers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and India, alongside regional neighbors and partners in Africa and beyond.

The president is expected to return to Nigeria upon the conclusion of the summit.