Tinubu pledges tech-driven growth, food security in Brazil engagement

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s development through technology and food security, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s economic progress.

Speaking in Brasília on Tuesday during an interactive session with Nigerians living in Brazil, Tinubu said his government was determined to transform the country through innovation, reforms, and inclusive growth.

“We must bring Nigeria to the forefront of Africa’s progress, driven by technology, food sovereignty, and the courage to change our destiny,” he said.

The President described his visit to Brazil as a strategic move to strengthen bilateral ties, noting that Nigeria and Brazil once had similar economic starting points.

“Look at Brazil today, its technology, its food systems. We must ask ourselves: what do they have that we don’t? We have the brains, the energy, and the youth. We have everything we need. Now, we must act,” Tinubu added.

Acknowledging the hardships caused by ongoing economic reforms, Tinubu likened them to “bitter medicine” needed to restore stability. He assured Nigerians that the reforms would eventually yield long-term benefits.

Commending the diaspora community for their contributions, he urged them to see themselves as key partners in building a new Nigeria.

“You are the pride of our nation. Your diversity, your commitment — it reflects the Nigeria we are working to build,” he said.

The President also voiced support for a cultural voyage involving Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, describing it as an inspiring initiative.

“If Wole Soyinka, at over 90, can still dream and act, then we have no excuse. The dream must be realized. The time is now,” he said.

During the event, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Brazil, Chika Emmanuel, praised Tinubu for strengthening Nigeria-Brazil relations, highlighting the growth of Nigerian postgraduate scholars in the country — from three PhD students a year ago to nearly 300 now, all on scholarships.

On concerns about expanding consular services in São Paulo and other Brazilian cities, Tinubu urged patience, stressing that the government was managing limited resources to maintain efficient foreign missions.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the engagement as historic, citing deep-rooted cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil. Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, commended Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the clearance of a $7 billion forex backlog and the removal of multiple exchange rates, which he said had boosted investor confidence.

The event, anchored by NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was attended by senior government officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.