President Bola Tinubu has pledged to accelerate Nigeria’s development by prioritising technology, food security, and innovation, while drawing lessons from Brazil’s economic success.
Speaking to Nigerians in Brazil on Wednesday, Tinubu stressed the need to position Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s progress through 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,” the President said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu described his visit as a strategic step to deepen bilateral relations and tap into Brazil’s impressive growth trajectory. “Once upon a time, Nigeria and Brazil stood on the same level. 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,” he declared.
The President commended Nigerians in the diaspora for their resilience, calling them vital stakeholders in building a modern Nigeria anchored on innovation, culture, and shared responsibility.
Acknowledging the hardships caused by ongoing economic reforms, Tinubu likened them to “bitter medicine,” insisting they are essential for long-term stability.
The President also pledged to forge global partnerships in manufacturing, technology, and cultural exchange, urging unity and patriotism among Nigerians at home and abroad.
“If Wole Soyinka, at over 90, can still dream and act, then we have no excuse. The dream must be realised. The time is now,” he added.
