Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reiterated the country’s commitment to securing membership in the BRICS alliance. She made the appeal during the Ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
The BRICS bloc, which originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently expanded its reach by adding 13 partner countries, including African nations Algeria, Nigeria, and Uganda. This expansion reflects growing interest among African nations in diversifying their global alliances to reduce dependence on Western nations and financial institutions.
Nigeria’s pursuit of BRICS membership aligns with its broader strategy to bolster economic growth, strengthen global governance, and enhance its diplomatic influence. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for Nigeria to reposition its economic and diplomatic frameworks to effectively compete on the global stage.
The push for membership also includes aspirations to join the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), an institution established to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets. Membership in the NDB would provide Nigeria with greater access to development financing, a critical factor for fostering economic resilience and reducing external dependency.
While South Africa remains the sole African member of BRICS, Nigeria’s renewed bid is part of a larger strategy to secure partnerships with influential global alliances like the G20. The BRICS nations collectively represent over 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of international trade, and nearly two-thirds of the global population, making membership a significant economic and diplomatic opportunity for Nigeria.
This effort follows an earlier appeal made by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who underscored the importance of the country’s inclusion in such influential global alliances to accelerate national development and strengthen its international standing.
