Nigeria's Position as a Partner Country in BRICS and Its Economic Potential
In July 2025, Nigeria participated for the first time in the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, following its admission as a partner country in January 2025. This marks a potentially transformative step in Nigeria’s global economic diplomacy, signalling its intent to align with some of the world’s most influential emerging economies.
As a BRICS+ partner, Nigeria begins a new chapter in multilateral engagement. While the status does not confer full membership, it grants Nigeria a seat at a table representing over 40% of the global population and more than a quarter of global GDP. The key question now is whether Nigeria can convert this visibility into real economic value through increased trade, investment, and policy influence.
BRICS+ rests on four core pillars: security, economic cooperation, people-to-people engagement, and inclusive development. The bloc comprises 11 core members and nine partner countries from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has said the partnership “comes with all the benefits of being a member, but without the political liabilities that may accrue.”
The bloc has a policy that makes partner countries participate in summits and ministerial meetings and contribute to BRICS policy statements that shape trade and economic cooperation. This inclusion grants Nigeria the opportunity to influence decisions and align with global reforms led by emerging economies.
From Diplomatic Tables to Economic Outcomes
Since independence, Nigeria has sought a place at major multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, African Union, Commonwealth, OPEC, and ECOWAS. While these affiliations have enhanced its diplomatic presence, they have not always delivered tangible economic returns. With BRICS+, Nigeria re-enters the multilateral stage, this time amid shifting global power dynamics and rising emphasis on South-South cooperation.
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