The president’s aircraft touched down at the Galeão Air Force Base at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, where he was received by the commander of the base, Brazil’s deputy minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, and the deputy minister for trade promotion, science, technology, innovation, and culture.

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.

The Partner status is an upgrade from its previous guest status, which the country had enjoyed over the years.

Nigeria was formally admitted as the ninth BRICS partner country in January 2025, a status introduced at the 16th BRICS Summit in October 2024.

As a partner country, Nigeria can participate in BRICS meetings, summits, and initiatives, contributing to discussions and official documents.

The word BRICS was coined from the names of the pioneer nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which came together under an informal grouping of emerging economies.  It also comprised six coalition members, such as Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, which joined in 2024.

The 2025 summit is held from July 6-7 with special attention on ‘Global Governance reform’ and ‘cooperation among the Global South Community.’