Is Nigeria a Member of BRICS or a Partner Country?
A recent post from the Facebook page One Africa claimed that Nigeria has officially joined BRICS as a full member.
The post read: “BREAKING NEWS: Nigeria officially joins BRICS as a full member. This is a significant step for Africa’s largest economy as it aligns itself with the world’s leading emerging economies.”
One Africa appears to be a platform focused on promoting African unity, culture, news, and social issues. However, this particular post generated a heated conversation in the comments section regarding the authenticity of the assertion, hence, NV-A went ahead to verify it.
VERIFICATION
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS, is an intergovernmental association of emerging economies and a strong alternative to the G7 bloc of world’s largest economies. Recently, BRICS decided to expand its collaboration with other emerging economies. However, being invited to partner with the bloc does not equate to being a full member.
The Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, in its official announcement on January 17, 2025, confirmed that Nigeria had been admitted as a partner country rather than a full member. According to the release, Nigeria’s role as a partner is significant but distinct from that of full members, as partner countries are invited to collaborate on specific projects and initiatives but do not participate in decision-making processes or hold voting rights within BRICS. This official statement can be found in full on the Brazilian government’s website:
The Nigerian government has also not issued any statements that suggest full membership. But, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which announced the new development reiterated that Nigeria’s growing relationship with BRICS is focused on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties, particularly in areas like trade and development. According to the Foreign Ministry, the country’s partnership with BRICS will likely lead to enhanced collaboration on issues of mutual interest, but Nigeria’s role is still categorized as that of a partner.
News outlets like Reuters and AP News have echoed the same message, confirming that Nigeria’s admission to BRICS is as a partner country. Both outlets emphasise the significance of Nigeria’s new status but make clear distinctions between partnership and full membership.
CONCLUSION
The claim that Nigeria is a full member of BRICS is MISLEADING. While Nigeria has indeed joined the bloc, it has been admitted as a partner country, not a full member. This distinction is crucial, as partner countries collaborate with BRICS nations on specific projects but do not enjoy the rights or privileges of full membership.
