With the economic alliance set to expand once again, could Nigeria be set to join the BRICS alliance in 2024? The country has long expressed an interest in becoming a part of the collective, but could the feeling be mutual? The country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yussuf Tuggar, has recently discussed the possibility.
The collective has already confirmed that it is poised to expand its membership at the upcoming 2024 annual summit. The development would echo a similar initiative that took place at the summit last year. Then, six countries were invited, with five accepting the offer from the alliance.
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Nigeria to be the Next Nation to Join BRICS?
Over the past year, the growth of the BRICS alliance has been a massive global development. Amid its de-dollarization effort, the alliance has increased in global prominence. Moreover, following the expansion that took place in 2023, which proved to be one of the most important geopolitical developments of the year, a similar decision could take place this year.
Indeed, Nigeria could be set to join the BRICS alliance in 2024. The country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has said that the country is exploring the possibility of joining the alliance in the coming year. If it did join the alliance, it would be a key part of the bloc’s second expansion effort.
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Last year, the bloc invited Argentina, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Of those six nations, Argentina was the only nation to outright decline the invitation. For Nigeria, entry into the BRICS would see the country continue to grow its economic ties with Russia.
Tuggar noted the importance of those bilateral relations, which would inform its assistance in joining the bloc. The BRICS bloc is likely to include Nigeria in a host of invitations in 2024, similar to the previous year. To this point, there are a host of nations that are seeking entry into the bloc, with more than 25 expressing interest.