The President Bola Tinubu-led 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 acknowledged the situation in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Saturday.
The BRICS bloc, which includes key emerging economies, provides Nigeria with a platform to expand trade, investment, and socioeconomic cooperation with other member countries.
According to the statement, the decision demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to capitalising on prospects for growth in critical areas such as energy security, infrastructure development, technology, and climate change.
The collaboration is consistent with Nigeria’s broader goals of 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 confidence about collaborating with BRICS countries to stimulate innovation, strengthen economic relations, and promote people-to-people exchanges, all while advancing Nigeria’s national interests and goals.
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 and foster people-to-people exchanges in line with our national interests and strategic priorities.”
BRICS, initially an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was expanded to include South Africa in 2010, resulting in the formation of BRICS.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joined the group as full members earlier in 2024, and they all attended this year’s meeting as full participants.
The organisation’s mission is to promote trade, investment, development, security, and collaboration among key emerging market economies.
Nigeria’s membership as a partner country is consistent with prior statements made in November 2023 by Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who stated that the country intends to join BRICS as a full member within the following two years, leveraging its enormous economy and population.
