Nigeria aims to become a member of BRICS within the next two years, emphasizing the importance of securing a prominent position for the nation’s voice in key global organizations, as conveyed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar to Western media.
Additionally, he highlighted that Nigeria is open to joining any inclusive bloc with positive, well-intentioned, and clearly defined goals. The emphasis is placed on the West African nation’s desire to be part of blocs like BRICS and the G20.
“We need to belong to groups like BRICS, like the G20 and all these other ones 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?,” Tuggar noted.
The chief diplomat underscored that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, retains the autonomy to choose its partners, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to a diplomatic approach that involves multiple parties.
“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,” Tuggar said.
In early August, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor disclosed that Nigeria was among nearly two dozen countries that submitted formal applications to join BRICS. However, Abuja has not yet officially declared its application.
During the August summit, BRICS, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, issued invitations to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to become full members of the bloc from January 1, 2024.
Regarding the Group of Twenty (G20), Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, invited to the G20 summit in India in September, expressed his intention to pursue permanent membership for Nigeria in the group.
