November 2, 2025
Nigeria is positioning itself to benefit from multiple sectors of the global economy during the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the country’s readiness and determination to leverage the summit for national growth and development.
Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, Director of Reform and Foreign Service Innovation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
Speaking on the expectations for the G20 Summit, Akinremi explained that the event holds immense promise for Nigeria and the African continent, especially as it will be hosted in Africa for the first time.
According to him, the G20 Summit agenda will have a positive impact on the socioeconomic, cultural, and humanitarian development of Africa. He stated, “The Johannesburg G20 Summit will be the first of its kind to be held on African soil, and that has great significance for us as Africans. Our expectation is that it will be successful and bring hope and fulfilment to the continent.”
Akinremi recalled that Nigeria gained entry and recognition alongside the African Union (AU) during the New Delhi meeting, adding that since then, the country has been part of the G20 Summit community. “Nigeria deserves and desires to be a member on its own, not just a guest under the AU, being the largest economy in Africa. We want to see how that works out in the coming years,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s readiness to host one of the pre-summit meetings in Abuja demonstrates its full preparedness for the forthcoming G20 Summit. He added that key issues such as debt sustainability, reduction of debt burdens, climate change, and climate financing would be discussed at the summit to provide a stronger foundation for the growth of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Nigeria will be very strong on this, and we must ensure we take advantage of it. Other G20 countries are also expected to introduce programmes that will bring meaningful development. Our expectation is to harness the potential and opportunities we have seen before now, and Nigeria has been preparing for this,” he explained.
The Director further revealed that a pre-summit meeting in Abuja would involve inter-ministerial coordination, as well as collaboration between the private and public sectors. “We expect our involvement in the G20 Summit to become stronger and more focused, to identify areas where we can lead in collaboration with other nations,” he added.
Akinremi also highlighted existing youth dialogue between Nigeria and South Africa, noting that hosting the G20 Summit on African soil would enhance regional networking and cooperation. He described the G20 as a group of twenty powerful and economically advanced countries that shape global policies on finance, development, and industrialization.
He pointed out that much of the G20 Summit discussion would center on debt sustainability, which should bring relief to many African nations, including Nigeria, as the continent faces growing debt challenges.
Akinremi urged Nigerian private sector operators to leverage President Bola Tinubu’s business-friendly policies to expand opportunities within the framework of the G20 Summit. “We are all keying behind President Tinubu and looking forward to a successful outcome and impactful participation in the G20 Summit in Johannesburg,” he said. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
