President Bola Tinubu has once again underscored his administration's unwavering commitment to eradicating hunger and poverty in Nigeria and globally.
Delivering a passionate speech at the G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Nigerian leader urged world leaders to move beyond mere rhetoric and adopt tangible measures to combat the interconnected challenges of hunger and poverty.
The theme of the summit’s first session, “Fight Against Hunger and Poverty,” provided the platform for President Tinubu to articulate his vision and highlight Nigeria’s strategies toward achieving sustainable solutions.
Below is the full text of President Tinubu’s address to the G20 Summit participants:
“Your Excellency, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil,
“Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
“It is a profound honor to address this prestigious gathering of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, held in the magnificent and historic city of Rio de Janeiro.
“First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil for their generous invitation to Nigeria as a guest country under Brazil’s distinguished presidency of the G20.
“As we convene to deliberate on the theme of this session—‘Fight Against Hunger and Poverty’—I wish to commend Brazil for launching the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. This initiative is a bold and visionary stride that underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
“The creation of this Alliance represents a pivotal milestone in our collective quest to eradicate hunger and poverty. It sends an unequivocal message of solidarity to millions of vulnerable populations across the world. By fostering collaborative partnerships among governments, international organizations, and civil society, the Alliance provides a comprehensive and innovative framework for tackling both the immediate and systemic causes of hunger and poverty.
“Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Brazil’s prioritization of the fight against hunger and poverty resonates deeply with Nigeria’s current economic trajectory. Upon assuming office in 2023, I unveiled an ambitious 8-Point Agenda, which includes a strong emphasis on agriculture and food security. Priority 3 focuses on boosting agricultural production, developing commodity value chains, and providing the necessary infrastructure to ensure food security. Priority 6, on the other hand, underscores the pivotal roles of education, health, and social investments as foundational pillars of sustainable development.
“Nigeria’s recent endorsement of the declaration of commitment to the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty signifies a monumental step forward in our endeavors to tackle these challenges. This endorsement reflects our commitment to leveraging international collaboration and resources to strengthen domestic strategies aimed at achieving inclusive growth and socio-economic transformation.
“The Global Alliance dovetails seamlessly with Nigeria’s priorities under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). These goals are integral to our national development agenda, and the Alliance offers a unique platform to fast-track progress toward their realization.
“Through collaboration with international partners, Nigeria aspires to harness best practices, adopt innovative solutions, and secure financial support to enhance its initiatives against hunger and poverty. This partnership reinforces Nigeria’s position as a pivotal contributor to global efforts aimed at fostering sustainable development and elevating the quality of life for all.
“As we anticipate the adoption of the Leaders’ Declaration at the conclusion of this summit, Nigeria reaffirms its steadfast commitment to working alongside G20 member states, guest nations, international organizations, and civil society in the shared mission to eradicate hunger and poverty.
“I thank you all for your attention and look forward to collaborative progress.”
President Tinubu’s address has since garnered widespread attention, with many praising his resolve to tackle hunger and poverty through both domestic and global partnerships. The speech not only highlights Nigeria’s developmental strategies but also underscores its willingness to contribute meaningfully to global solutions.
