Professor Bola Akinyemi, a former Minister of Interior, has expressed discontent over Nigeria’s designation as a partner country within the BRICS bloc, arguing that Nigeria should have been granted full membership instead.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, Akinyemi, a professor of political science, questioned the logic behind Nigeria’s partner status, emphasizing the country’s economic standing in Africa. He pointed out that, given Nigeria’s significant GDP, it should have been an original member of BRICS or granted full membership during the group’s expansion, rather than being relegated to partner status.
“I am not happy. Can you tell me the difference between a partner country and a member, given our GDP in Africa compared to Ethiopia or even South Africa? Is it a partner country that befits us? No,” Akinyemi remarked. He added, “We should have been part of the original members of BRICS. I have said this on several platforms. I don’t know why we were never an original member; I don’t know why we were not invited to join as a full member when they were expanding it. I think it is a slap in our face, and we should never have accepted this partner member if that is what they call it.”
BRICS is a prominent intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Last Friday, Brazil officially announced the admission of Nigeria as a partner country.
In a statement, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry highlighted that BRICS and Nigeria share common goals, particularly in fostering cooperation among Global South nations and advocating for the reform of international organizations. The ministry also noted that Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa and one of its major economies, plays a vital role in strengthening South-South cooperation and global governance reform.
Brazil currently holds the BRICS presidency for 2025, having assumed leadership from Russia on January 1.
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