After adding Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and number one oil producer, to the list of partners on January 17, BRICS now makes up 54.6% of the world population and 42.2% of global GDP (PPP) while continuing to grow.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country. The formal acceptance to participate as a partner country underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships that align with Nigeria’s development objectives,” spokesperson of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa said in a statement on Saturday.
The extended BRICS+ family is now comprised by 19 members and partners, including the three most populous African countries: Ethiopia and Egypt, which are full members and Nigeria as partner.
Nigeria’s admission was announced by BRICS chair in 2025, Brazil, which emphasized the two main goals of the bloc: “strengthening South-South cooperation” and “reforming global governance”.
“BRICS, as a collective of major emerging economies, presents a unique platform for Nigeria to enhance trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with member countries,” Ebienfa added.
