Nigeria confirmed as partner country in BRICS economic bloc

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed Nigeria’s official status as a partner country in BRICS, the multinational coalition of emerging economies.

The announcement, made on Friday, highlights Nigeria’s alignment with BRICS’ core objectives, including fostering stronger South-South cooperation and advocating for global institutional reforms.

Nigeria, home to Africa’s largest population and one of the continent’s major economies, shares common ground with BRICS in its push for equitable global governance and enhanced collaboration among developing nations. These goals have become central to Brazil’s agenda since assuming the BRICS presidency on January 1, 2025.

According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, “With the world’s sixth-largest population and Africa’s largest, Nigeria has shared interests with other BRICS members. It actively promotes South-South cooperation and reforms in global governance—issues that are top priorities under Brazil’s current presidency.”

The creation of the partner country category was formalized during the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Nigeria now joins nations like Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan in this new partnership framework.

BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. The bloc focuses on strengthening trade, investment, and development ties among leading emerging markets, with an emphasis on reshaping the global economic order.