By Bashir Aliyu
Nigeria’s foreign minister has announced that the country intends to become a member of the BRICS group of nations within the next two years, as per Bloomberg report.
Yusuf Tuggar added that the move is part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to ensure representation and influence on the global stage and that the West African nation is open to joining any alliance that has constructive, well-defined goals, according to the outlet.
“Nigeria has come of age to decide for itself who her partners should be and where they should be. Being multiple aligned is in our best interest,” the diplomat was quoted as saying.
The group of major emerging economies currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were all invited to join the BRICS in August.
Nigeria, however, which is also pushing to join the G20, believes that being part of BRICS would offer it economic and political leverage.
“We need to belong to groups like BRICS, like the G20 and all these others because if there’s a certain criteria, say the largest countries in terms of population and economy should belong, then why isn’t Nigeria part of it?” the Nigerian diplomat told Bloomberg.
Africa’s largest economy has previously expressed a desire to join BRICS, but has yet to submit an official application.
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Abuja at the recent BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, stated in August that the government must consult with the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council before applying for membership.
