The Brazilian government, currently holding the pro tempore presidency of BRICS, announced on January 17th, the formal acceptance of Nigeria as the group’s newest partner country. This development marks Nigeria as the ninth nation to join BRICS’ partner-country framework, which was established at the Kazan BRICS Summit in October 2024.
Nigeria joins a diverse group of partner countries that includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. As Africa’s most populous nation and the sixth most populous globally, Nigeria brings significant demographic and economic weight to the partnership. The country’s commitment to South-South cooperation and advocacy for global governance reform aligns closely with BRICS’ priorities, particularly under Brazil’s current leadership.
The Brazilian government has expressed its warm welcome for Nigeria’s entry into the partnership, viewing it as a strategic addition that strengthens BRICS’ international influence and collaborative potential.
