At the Third Session of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in South Africa, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu emphasized the need for a fairer global framework aimed at ensuring that communities hosting critical minerals in Nigeria and throughout Africa receive equitable benefits from their natural resources. He highlighted that these resources represent more than mere deposits; they are pivotal to genuine industrial transformation.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, underscored the significance of establishing global ethical standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI). He asserted that AI should accelerate development without exacerbating existing inequalities. “The issue before us goes beyond the arithmetic of economics; it speaks to the moral character of the world we aspire to build,” he stated.
Central to his address was the notion that decent work is a foundation for inclusive development. He emphasized the importance of empowering citizens to contribute to national prosperity through initiatives that focus on digital literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurship, in line with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
AI Governance and Ethical Standards
Tinubu articulated a clear challenge for global leaders: to ensure that AI serves humanity rather than undermining it. “Nigeria supports the creation of global ethical standards for AI that uphold safety, transparency, and equity,” he stated, emphasizing that AI should be a tool for empowerment and job creation, rather than displacement.
To harness the full potential of AI, the President called for intentional collaborations among developed and developing nations, public and private sectors, as well as innovators and regulators. He urged the G20 to address systemic biases and enhance multilateral dialogues to guarantee that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed while responsibly managing its risks.
Tinubu posited that critical minerals, decent work, and AI share a common objective: creating an economy that uplifts rather than excludes. He urged G20 leaders to envision a future where Africa evolves from being merely a supplier of raw minerals to becoming a hub for value creation and innovation.
Call for Equitable Global Financial Governance
In addition to discussions surrounding minerals and AI, President Tinubu also called for reforms in global financial governance. He urged world leaders to adopt a more equitable system for managing financial flows and addressing persistent debt crises. He noted that many developing nations continue to face systemic constraints that limit their growth potential, weaken trade, and hinder financial inclusion.
Tinubu criticized existing multilateral frameworks as outdated, stating that they were “built in an era far removed from today’s realities.” He emphasized that the G20’s theme centered on inclusive and sustainable growth captures the pressing challenges faced by developing regions. “For trade to be truly inclusive, the G20 must take bold and deliberate steps to reform the international financial architecture and the global institutions that sustain it,” he declared.
Highlighting the urgency of these reforms, he pointed out that Africa cannot shift its development trajectory without the G20’s collective resolve, particularly regarding sustainable financing for priority projects. Rising debt burdens, he warned, continue to push economies into cycles of fragility and create global vulnerabilities.
He concluded by urging G20 leaders to prioritize debt sustainability and responsible utilization of minerals within their agenda for inclusive development. “In adopting the Leaders’ Declaration, the G20 must take seriously the responsibility to advance policies that drive sustainable growth, promote financial inclusion, and confront emerging risks,” he added.
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