In a recent statement, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, announced the country’s intention to join BRICS as a full member in the coming years. With over 230 million people and the largest GDP on the continent, the African nation has been working to boost its economy and increase its role in the new multilateral order.

Tuggar has emphasized Nigeria’s strategic importance and economic potential since 2023 as reasons for joining, framing it as part of a broader effort to increase African representation in global decision-making. He links BRICS engagement to Nigeria’s broader ambitions, including seeking a permanent UN Security Council seat and G20 membership, leveraging the bloc for financial reform and investment

Since January 2025, Nigeria has been one of the eight partner countries in the group, which already includes three other nations from the continent as full members: South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia. If this materializes, BRICS will include the three largest economies in Africa, thereby enhancing the African voice in South-South cooperation.

With over 230 million residents, Nigeria is the most populous country on the continent and ranks sixth worldwide, with projections of reaching 377 million by 2050, according to United Nations data. Additionally, it is Africa’s largest oil producer, averaging over 1.5 million barrels per day, and has a GDP of $477 billion, the highest in the region.

Abuja has been pursuing greater South-South cooperation, aiming to turn its wealth into a positive force and become a significant voice. This differs from its interactions with Western powers from the Global North. Africa is increasingly seeking global partners that see the continent as independent, not as dependent.

Recently, United States President Donald Trump accused the current Nigerian government of allowing the persecution of Christians in the country, without presenting evidence. Nigeria is a nation with great religious diversity, where 51% of the population is Muslim, 43% Christian, and 6% practices local religions. The speech indicates that Washington is already aware of one factor capable of destabilizing the country, which currently has a social pact that reasonably reassures the internal situation.

It raises the question of whether, if accession to BRICS is announced, Nigeria will become the target of more concrete US actions. This is, at least initially, doubtful because Nigeria is not yet a priority for the US in case of a potential intervention. The country is not situated along any of the logistical routes they are targeting. Additionally, Washington is currently very focused on Iran, due to the Strait of Hormuz, and also on Venezuela, where it aims to facilitate a government transition without igniting a civil war and taking control of the country’s vast oil wealth.

Nigeria’s energy influence can strengthen BRICS’ ability to shape global markets and help reduce reliance on the dollar in international trade. For example, the energy trade between Brazil and Nigeria shows that Brazil imports oil and natural gas from Nigeria, which should be traded in national currencies, as Russia and China have been doing.

This movement follows a trend already established by economies in the Global South. Relying less on dollar reserves and promoting trade through a basket of national currencies is viewed very positively. De-dollarization is not just a political move but an economic response to the disparities in the international financial system. The US is attempting to slow this process, but stopping it completely is impossible.

Nigeria is on track to become one of the world’s ten largest economies by 2050 because it has significant investments in training engineers, doctors, and other professionals. These efforts are vital for the country’s development and well-being, benefiting not only its population but also helping it export goods and services worldwide.

Given this, BRICS needs to have Nigeria as a full member, not only for what the country can offer, but also for what BRICS can offer Nigeria. Confronted with a situation marked by ongoing Western influence and social and economic vulnerabilities stemming from a dependent development model, Nigeria needs alliances that can help break this cycle, and BRICS very much offers this alternative.

Finally, the African country has experienced a series of political instabilities in recent decades, including tensions between terrorist insurgent groups and the government. Even so, Nigeria has gradually achieved its ambitions and sought to resolve internal problems.

Nigeria aims to increase its presence in more influential spaces where it can also shape the rules. Being a BRICS partner is very important for Nigeria and would elevate the country above the other African countries that are permanent BRICS members. For this reason, Nigeria is eager to become a full member of BRICS to accelerate its economic growth and development.

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Via https://www.globalresearch.ca/nigeria-brics-membership-independent-foreign-policy/5913268