Nigeria has a strong interest in joining BRICS, an influential economic bloc, the country’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said during his appearance on a local broadcaster's TV program.
While the country has not yet formally applied to join BRICS, it will join the organization "at the right time" and that the move is "on the radar of the President Tinubu's administration," the minister stated.
In August 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, which raised questions about the country's intentions regarding the bloc.
“We never said we are not joining BRICS. It is about timing. We have already indicated our interest in joining, but we have not formally written,” he said.
Tuggar stressed that currently there are a lot of reforms going on in Nigeria to make the move possible.
“Tinubu was in China recently and Vice-President Shettima visited China before that and in all the engagements, we have made it clear that we are interested in joining BRICS at the right time,” he added.