Nigeria hopes to become a member of the BRICS group of nations within the next two years, a report by Bloomberg has disclosed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who revealed this, stated that the country will join every group that is open if the intentions are good, well-meaning, and clearly defined.
He said, “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.”
He continued, “We need to belong to groups like BRICS, like the G-20 and all these other ones because if there’s a certain criterion, say the largest countries in terms of population and economy should belong, then why isn’t Nigeria part of it?”
BRICS is a group of emerging market powers including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In August they invited six other nations, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates to join their ranks in a bid to expand the bloc’s influence.
Much has been made of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, absence from BRICS, with analysts believing the bloc could provide economic and political leverage for the country.
In August, vice President, Kashim Shettima, noted that Nigeria did not apply for membership of BRICS after the bloc announced new members.
He said, “So far, we have not applied for the membership of BRICS. And it is majorly informed by the fact that my principal President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a true democrat that believes in consensus building.
“There are so many variables that need to be taken into cognizance. We have to evaluate so many tendencies and issues that require engagements with the economic advisory council, the Federal Executive Council, and even the National Assembly before an informed decision towards joining the BRICS would be taken.”
Later in September, the presidency, while stating it had received an invitation from the G-20, affirmed it did not apply to join BRICS.
However, it noted that it will do whatever serves the interest of the economy of the country. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read in parts, “There are very wide and extensive consultations taking place within the government. We are assessing both the risks and benefits of becoming a G-20 member.’
It added, “We have not applied to BRICS contrary to speculations out there. We have made no application to BRICs or the G-20 as of today. Our consideration is based on empirical analysis. It’s not based on sentiment or emotion. It’s about whether or not it will serve the national interest in the national economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the assessment we’re making now.”
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