BRICS Admits Nigeria as a Partner Country

January 20, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Brazil’s government announced Nigeria’s acceptance as a partner country in the multinational bloc of nations known as BRICS.

Brazil’s government announced Nigeria’s acceptance as a partner country in the multinational bloc of nations known as BRICS. Brazil, which holds the bloc’s presidency in 2025, said in a statement that the African country has been actively strengthening cooperation in the Global South and reforming global governance, which has been a priority to Brazil.

As the 6th largest population in the world and the 1st on the African continent, as well as one of the largest economies in Africa, Nigeria has converging interests with the other members of the group, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry stated. 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.

BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, with South Africa added in 2010, as a counterweight to the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations. Nigeria joins the BRICS in a status already held by another eight nations primarily in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia.

Last year, the bloc added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has been invited to join. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and a few others have expressed interest. Nigeria becomes the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

President Donald Trump last year threatened 100% tariffs against BRICS if they acted to undermine the U.S. dollar. The bloc’s leaders have voiced their commitment to introduce an alternative payment system that would not be dependent on the dollar.