By Emmanuel Nduka
The Brazilian government has officially welcomed Nigeria as a partner country within the influential BRICS bloc, signaling a deepening of ties between the two nations and a stronger commitment to global cooperation.
The declaration, made by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, highlights the shared objectives of Nigeria and BRICS nations, emphasizing their collective push to amplify the voice of the Global South on the world stage.
Brazil, which now holds the BRICS presidency for 2025, praised Nigeria’s strategic role as both the largest economy in Africa and the sixth-largest population globally. The two nations share a common vision of reforming international institutions and boosting economic collaboration among emerging countries, a theme that is central to Brazil’s agenda this year.
The announcement comes as part of BRICS’ broader expansion strategy, as it seeks to forge stronger alliances with countries in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Heritage Times HT reports that Nigeria joins a growing list of partner nations, including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, which were officially recognized as BRICS partners during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
This move marks a significant step toward more inclusive global governance, with an emphasis on equitable growth, development, and the redistribution of global power to better reflect the realities of the 21st century.
With Brazil at the helm of the BRICS presidency, Nigeria’s partnership further solidifies the alliance’s commitment to reshaping the global order, positioning the BRICS bloc as a formidable force for reform and collaboration across the Global South.