President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to Brazil has cast a spotlight on Nigeria’s push for economic transformation, with technology and food security emerging as twin pillars of his administration’s strategy. Addressing Nigerians in the diaspora on Tuesday, Tinubu framed his economic reforms as necessary but painful adjustments—akin to “bitter peals”—that will ultimately position the country for sustainable growth.
The President’s remarks, conveyed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, underscored a deliberate shift toward emulating the development models of emerging economies like Brazil. Both nations, Tinubu noted, once shared comparable economic starting points, yet Brazil has since advanced significantly in agriculture, technology, and industrial capacity. “We must ask ourselves: what do they have that we don’t?” he posed. “We have the brains, the energy, and the youth. We have everything we need. Now, we must act.”
This comparison is not merely rhetorical. Brazil’s agricultural sector, for instance, has become a global powerhouse through targeted investments in research, mechanization, and export-oriented policies—areas where Nigeria, despite its vast arable land, still lags. Tinubu’s emphasis on food sovereignty suggests a potential realignment of Nigeria’s agricultural policies, possibly through increased public-private partnerships, improved access to credit for farmers, and adoption of climate-smart techniques. If executed effectively, such reforms could reduce Nigeria’s reliance on food imports, which currently drain foreign reserves, and create jobs in rural economies where unemployment remains stubbornly high.
Yet, the President’s analogy of economic reforms as “bitter medicine” reflects the immediate challenges facing Nigerians. The removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and other market-driven policies have triggered inflation, eroded purchasing power, and sparked public discontent. Tinubu’s defense—that these measures are essential to curing the “fever” of economic instability—resonates with the International Monetary Fund’s long-standing prescriptions for Nigeria. However, the success of such reforms hinges on their ability to deliver tangible benefits to citizens within a reasonable timeframe. The risk, as seen in past attempts at structural adjustment, is that short-term pain may outlast public patience, particularly if social safety nets remain weak.
A less discussed but equally significant aspect of Tinubu’s Brazil visit is his engagement with the Nigerian diaspora, a demographic often overlooked in domestic policy discussions yet critical to economic development. Chika Emmanuel, Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora in Brazil, highlighted the community’s growing role in human capital development, revealing that the number of Nigerian PhD students in Brazil has surged from three to 296 in just 18 months—all on scholarships. This influx of highly educated professionals could serve as a bridge for knowledge transfer, particularly in agriculture and technology, sectors where Brazil excels. Tinubu’s call for diaspora involvement in national development aligns with global trends, where countries like India and China have leveraged their diaspora networks for investment, innovation, and trade.
The President’s diplomatic efforts also signal a broader strategy to reposition Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani pointed to Tinubu’s clearance of a $7 billion forex backlog as a confidence-boosting measure for investors, noting that the elimination of multiple exchange rates has reduced bureaucratic hurdles. If sustained, these reforms could address long-standing complaints about capital repatriation and currency instability—key deterrents for foreign businesses. Yet, the proof will lie in whether these changes translate into actual inflows of FDI, particularly into non-oil sectors like manufacturing and tech, which Tinubu has prioritized.
Cultural diplomacy emerged as another theme, with Tinubu expressing support for Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s upcoming voyage—a project rooted in a cultural initiative Tinubu himself championed as Lagos governor. By invoking Soyinka’s enduring creativity, the President appeared to draw a parallel between artistic resilience and national progress, suggesting that Nigeria’s soft power could complement its economic ambitions. This approach mirrors Brazil’s own use of cultural exports, from music to football, to enhance its global standing.
Still, challenges remain. The diaspora’s request for new consulates in cities like São Paulo, for instance, was met with a call for patience, reflecting the government’s constrained resources. Similarly, while Tinubu’s vision of a tech-driven, food-secure Nigeria is compelling, its realization depends on addressing infrastructure deficits, improving electricity supply, and curbing insecurity—all of which require sustained political will and execution.
For now, the President’s Brazil visit serves as both a statement of intent and a reminder of the work ahead. The question is whether Nigeria can translate these diplomatic and policy signals into concrete outcomes that improve livelihoods—and whether citizens, weary of economic hardship, will give the reforms the time they need to bear fruit.