President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent climate justice for Africa, declaring that the continent bears the brunt of a crisis it did little to cause.
Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, July 6, 2025, the Nigerian leader urged a fairer and more inclusive global approach to climate, healthcare, and financial systems.
“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” Tinubu stated, highlighting the glaring imbalance between the continent’s environmental footprint and the devastating impact it endures from climate change.
Addressing fellow leaders of the Global South and emerging economies, Tinubu called for a reevaluation of the world’s governance and financing structures. He said developing nations, especially in Africa, deserve equitable access to climate financing, technology transfer, and decision-making platforms.
The President stressed that while African nations are already taking bold steps—such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall—international support and justice-driven cooperation are essential. He urged the BRICS bloc to champion a global agenda rooted in fairness, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
“As we approach COP-30, we believe BRICS must be more than an economic bloc. It must be a beacon for climate solutions, solidarity, and the shared future we all hope to build,” Tinubu said.
Nigeria, officially recognised as a BRICS partner country in January 2025, participated in the summit for the first time under this status. Tinubu was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and Minister of Finance Wale Edun.
Reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable development, Tinubu affirmed the country’s focus on accelerating renewable energy, improving healthcare access, and promoting South-South cooperation. He urged global actors not to overlook the youth, who make up 70% of Nigeria’s population, in long-term planning and policymaking.
With global inequality widening in the face of environmental and health challenges, President Tinubu’s call resonated as a clear demand for climate justice and inclusive global reform.
Melissa Enoch
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