Brazil has officially declared Nigeria’s membership to the BRICS alliance.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry issued the news, congratulating Nigeria’s decision to join the organization.
“The Brazilian government welcomes the Nigerian government’s decision,” the statement said, marking an important development for both countries.
The BRICS alliance, which initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has grown as new countries expressed interest in joining the club of leading emerging economies. The introduction of a partner-country category was announced at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024, and reports from the summit claimed that Nigeria had been recognized as a partner country.
Eche Abu-Obe, the then-spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had also emphasized Nigeria’s membership in the BRICS cooperation.
Nigeria becomes BRICS’ ninth partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry stated that Nigeria, with the world’s sixth-biggest population and Africa’s largest, as well as one of the continent’s main economies, has common interests with the other BRICS countries.
“Nigeria plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and in reforming global governance—issues that are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency,” the statement added.
Nigeria has continued to lobby for full membership in the BRICS alliance, hoping that its new partnership status will pave the door for further engagement in the future.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
