Brics: Why Has Nigeria Not Joined Yet?

BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

It is a group of five major emerging economies that have been working together to promote economic growth, cooperation, and development.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and has a fast-growing economy. It is also a member of the G20, a group of the world's 20 largest economies.

Nigeria's membership in BRICS would give it a greater voice in global affairs and would help to promote economic growth and development in Africa.

However, Nigeria has not yet joined BRICS because according to most economists and international politics experts, Nigeria's bromance with the West is holding the Africa's giant from joining the emerging international bloc.

While this is true, there are other reasons why Nigeria has not yet joined the new international bloc.

Why Has Nigeria Not Joined BRICS?

[caption id="attachment_8514" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Why Has Nigeria Not Joined BRICS? | Credit: Freedom Online | Source: Google[/caption]

• Nigeria's foreign relations with the Western powers. Nigeria has had a long and close relationship with the West, particularly the United States. This relationship has been based on shared political and security interests, as well as economic cooperation. Some observers believe that Nigeria's close ties to the West may have made it hesitant to join the new international bloc, which is seen as a counterweight to Western economic dominance.
• Nigeria's economic development. Nigeria is still a developing country with significant challenges to overcome, such as poverty, corruption, and insecurity. Some observers believe that Nigeria needs to address these challenges before it can join BRICS.
• The criteria for BRICS membership. The criteria for becoming a member are not publicly known, but it is believed that they include factors such as economic size, population, and political influence. Some observers believe that Nigeria may not meet all of the criteria for BRICS membership.

Will Nigeria Join BRICs?

[caption id="attachment_8516" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Why Has Nigeria Not Joined BRICS? | Source: Google[/caption] Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said that the country has not yet applied for membership in the emerging international economic bloc. However, there is conflicting information about whether Nigeria has actually applied for membership. In March 2023, South Africa's Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, said that Nigeria was among the 12 countries that had applied to join BRICS. However, Shettima has denied this, saying that Nigeria has not yet made a decision about whether to join the bloc. Shettima said that President Bola Tinubu is a "true democrat" who believes in "consensus building." He said that Tinubu would need to consult with the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, and other stakeholders before making a decision about whether to join BRICS. The Vice President's comments have raised questions about Nigeria's intentions towards the bloc membership. It is possible that Nigeria is still considering whether to join the bloc or that it is waiting for more information about the criteria for membership. It is also possible that Nigeria is facing internal divisions about whether to join BRICS. Some members of the government may be in favour of joining the bloc, while others may be opposed. However, it is important to note that Nigeria has not officially ruled out joining BRICS. Shettima has said that the country is "ready for collaboration and partnership that guarantees a world governed by acceptable rules and norms." This suggests that Nigeria may be open to joining BRICS if the group can address its concerns about democracy and human rights.

Only time will tell if Nigeria will eventually join the international bloc. However, the country's growing economic influence and its desire to play a more active role in global affairs suggest that it is a strong candidate for membership in the group.