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Nigeria's Plans to Join BRICS Consistent With Country's Philosophy, Budget Office Says

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - In March, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar told Sputnik that his country plans to apply for membership in the BRICS bloc after the necessary arrangements within the country are finished.
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Nigeria’s intent to join BRICS is in line with its interest in a more equitable global financial and development system, Ben Akabueze, the director general of the country's Budget Office, told Sputnik.

"The way I see it, BRICS is all part of a strategy to seek a more equitable global financial and development system," Akabueze said. "That's consistent with Nigeria's own philosophy."

Moreover, Akabueze shared that when several countries were invited to join BRICS and Nigeria was not invited, "it raised a lot of eyebrows."

"Nigeria would evaluate whatever joining BRICS offers," he added. "Right now I'm not aware that it conflicts with any other aspirations that Nigeria has, but unless it does, there should be no reason why Nigeria will not apply."

BRICS was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for the world's largest emerging economies, bringing together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. On January 1, 2024, the bloc expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.