Nigeria has reiterated that its participation at the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg is firmly rooted in its national priorities and long-standing commitment to a fairer global economic system.
Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Nigeria’s engagement “aligns squarely with its vision for justice, transparency, and shared prosperity within the global order”.
Tuggar made the remarks on the sidelines of the Summit in South Africa.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the third session of the summit, said Nigeria’s focus was on “solutions that place people at the centre of development”.
“Decent work is the anchor that makes these transitions fair, inclusive and sustainable,” he declared.
President Tinubu, in his message to world leaders, urged the G20 to place debt sustainability and responsible mineral governance at the heart of global economic reforms.
He warned that sustainable development remained out of reach if vulnerable nations are trapped in debt cycles or if mineral extraction continued to mirror past injustices.
“The global economy must uplift rather than exclude,” the President stated, insisting that mineral wealth should fuel Africa’s industrial growth instead of reinforcing historical inequities.
The Nigerian delegation also stressed that Africa must move beyond its traditional role as a supplier of raw materials. According to the team, the continent’s future lies in value addition, industrial transformation and innovation – pathways they described as essential to unlocking shared prosperity.
Addressing the summit theme, “A Fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence”, Vice-President Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s investments in technology, skills development and youth empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He stressed that global transitions in AI and minerals must remain human-centred to avoid widening existing inequalities.
Ambassador Tuggar, the Foreign Minister, called on G20 leaders to support a global framework that guarantees fairness in the extraction and trade of critical minerals.
“Resource-rich African communities must benefit meaningfully from the industries built around their land,” he maintained.
He also congratulated South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for hosting the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil, describing it as “a landmark moment that reinforces Africa’s rightful place in global governance”.
RN
