Nigeria has officially joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), an intergovernmental organisation that aims to promote economic and geopolitical cooperation among its member countries.
This was confirmed by the Brazilian government in a statement issued on its website on Friday, which said that Nigeria becomes the ninth partner country of BRICS, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
The statement read, “In exercising its pro tempore presidency of BRICS, the Brazilian government announces today, January 17, 2025, the formal admission of Nigeria as a partner country of the grouping.
“The Brazilian government welcomes the Nigerian government’s decision.
“Nigeria becomes the ninth partner country of BRICS, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. This partner-country category was created at the 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan in October 2024.
“With the world’s sixth-largest population—and Africa’s largest—as well as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other members of BRICS.
“It plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and in reforming global governance—issues that are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency.”
Brazil noted that BRICS and Nigeria have common interests, as the African nation, like the group, works to strengthen cooperation among countries of the Global South and calls for reforming international organisations.
Recall that at a BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia in October 2024, it was decided to establish a category of BRICS partner countries.
The first countries to become partners were Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan.
Indonesia was also initially named as a BRICS partner, but on January 6, Brazil announced that the Asian country had been given a status of full member.
