BRICS: Nigeria becomes partner country

The Federal Government has announced its acceptance of joining BRICS as a partner country, marking a step in its efforts to strengthen international collaboration and economic development.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Saturday.

BRICS, a bloc comprising major emerging economies, offers Nigeria a platform to expand trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with member countries.

According to the statement, the decision underscores Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging opportunities for growth in key areas such as energy security, infrastructure development, technology, and climate change.

The partnership aligns with Nigeria’s broader aspirations for inclusive growth, regional integration, and a more equitable global economic framework.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country. The formal acceptance to participate as a partner country underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships that align with Nigeria’s development objectives,” the statement read in part.

FG expressed optimism about engaging with BRICS members to foster innovation, deepen economic ties, and encourage people-to-people exchanges, all while pursuing Nigeria’s national interests and priorities.

The statement added, “Nigeria is poised to leverage this platform to advance shared goals in trade and investment, energy security, infrastructure development, technology, and climate change.

“This partnership also aligns with our national aspirations for inclusive growth, regional integration, and active participation in shaping a fair and equitable global economic order in line with our ethos of strategic autonomy.

“Nigeria looks forward to engaging constructively with BRICS members to drive innovation, foster people-to-people exchanges in line with our national interests and strategic priorities.”

BRICS, originally an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa, thus forming BRICS.

The group has since added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members earlier in 2024, all of whom attended this year’s summit as full participants.

The organisation aims to foster trade, investment, development, security, and cooperation among leading emerging market economies.

Nigeria’s inclusion as a partner country aligns with previous statements in November 2023 by Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who expressed the country’s intention to join BRICS as a full member within the next two years, leveraging its large economy and population.