World
Experts Advise Nigeria to Join BRICS

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Nigeria is considered an economic power in West Africa, and it runs in the third position behind Egypt and South Africa. While expert opinions suggest it qualifies for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), an association of emerging economies that primarily seeks to promote economic cooperation and development among its members, Nigeria maintains that it can only make such a decision over the next two years.
Last August 2023, BRICS admitted six new members Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates into its fold at its 15th annual summit in South Africa. However, Argentina later cited multiple reasons and declined to join from January 1, 2024. In official speeches, Russia always describes Ethiopia as the poorest, but a strategic partner in Africa.
Russia has taken over the BRICS presidency in 2024 and one of its priorities is the process of expanding its membership. This step represents an important stage in the further development and strengthening of the BRICS position on the world stage. Furthermore, Russia’s leadership of BRICS could catalyze the development of Africa. Opportunities related to investment, education, policy and cooperation have the potential to change Africa’s development trajectory.BRICS is currently discussed in the context of its prospects for cooperation with countries of the Global South.
President of the Global Migration Research Institute (GMRI), Professor Williams Ijoma, has said it is time Nigeria joined the League of Nations in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc to rescue Nigeria from the clutch of poverty and open opportunities for rapid development, according to the report in Guardian newspaper.
He spoke at a one-day summit on BRICS themed ‘BRICS + and Global South: Problems and Prospects’ organized by Upriver Needy’s Empirical Solution Centre (UNESCO), Foundation in partnership with the Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre (UMEC) in Abuja, Nigeria.
He insisted that Nigeria, as a member of the global south, must join BRICS because global trend shows that the bloc has already overtaken the G7 bloc (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States of America), in terms of share of the total global Gross Domestic Products (GDP), as per Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).
“BRICS is a very important organization that will enhance the economy of Nigeria because Nigeria has got all it takes to be a world power. We have the raw materials and we have the human resources and I believe that joining BRICS will boost Nigeria’s economy,” he said at the summit.
According to BRICS, the GDP of their member accounts for 31.5 per cent of global GDP as of 2023, compared to the 30.7 per cent of the G7 nations. “Nigeria joining this organization is a gateway to boost its influence around the world, no doubt about it. This is based on the abundant human and natural resources to leverage in the country,” he said.
Professor Williams Ijoma pointed out that the BRICS nations offered a source of foreign expansion for firms and strong returns for institutional investors, adding that the organization seeks to deepen economic cooperation between member countries and stand in contrast to the Western sphere of power.
He noted that the present government was doing a lot to make sure Nigeria joined BRICS, pointing out that the Minister of Foreign Affairs travelled to Moscow to better the relationship between Nigeria and Russia, and also that of BRICS.
In terms of trade and what Nigeria stands to benefit from a Fellow at the Institute for African Studies and the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Maurice Okoli, explained that the BRICS partnership would allow nations to trade among themselves with their local currency without the restrictions of a single currency, the dollar for international transactions.
Professor Okoli, who is also a fellow at the North-Eastern Federal University, Russia, said that the global powers, especially the G7 countries were seen to have not done well after the Second World War but the emergence of BRIC, now BRICS+ offers a better option to developing nations in terms of economic development and terms of trade.
Hon. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, the National Deputy Chairman (Diaspora Engagement) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also emphasized that, like every international group, membership involves responsibilities, and potential advantages must be weighed against any challenges or commitments that come with it to be sure that Nigeria is not worse off in the end. Joining BRICS is already taking an economic alliance that is intertwined with political interest. Balancing Nigeria’s national interests with the collective goals of the BRICS group and managing geopolitical complexities may present big challenges to our traditional allies like the United Kingdom and the United States. This will, no doubt, require significant diplomatic efforts and manoeuvring.
Speakers at the summit generally noted that BRICS would emerge as a major economic power to counter the G7, hence joining the bloc held immense benefits for member countries. The experts, in their speeches, emphasized the undeniable importance of the desire of African countries for sovereignty and independent development. With rich resources and a growing consumer market, Africa provides countless opportunities for investment and comprehensive cooperation.
Why is Nigeria not yet a BRICS member?
Nigeria’s potential membership has been under serious discussion these several months. Given Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy, it is expected that the economic bloc would covet the membership of Nigeria in spreading its influence. It is believed Nigeria’s foreign relations with the Western powers may be a major reason the country has not yet subscribed to BRICS membership.
Nigeria’s ties with the West led by the United States have spanned over 63 years, but this relationship in the opinions of many observers has not translated to any substantial benefits for the most populous country in Africa. It is against this background that many political scientists and economic analysts have called on Nigerian leaders to enlist the country in the forum’s membership to advance its economic interests.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the bloc’s 15th summit in Johannesburg said Nigeria has not applied to join the economic bloc. Shettima argued that President Ahmed Tinubu would have to engage the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council before Nigeria applies for BRICS membership.
“So far, we have not applied for the membership of BRICS. And it is majorly informed by the fact that my principal President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a true democrat that believes in consensus building,” VP Shettima said. “There are so many variables that need to be taken into cognisance. We have to evaluate so many tendencies and issues that require engagements with the economic advisory council, the Federal Executive Council, and even the National Assembly before an informed decision towards joining the BRICS would be taken.”
Early March (5-7) 2024, during his official working visit to Moscow, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar at the joint media conference with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, explained that “Nigeria will seek to become a member of the BRICS group of nations within the next two years as part of a new foreign policy push to have its voice heard in important global organizations.”
Talking to the news agency Sputnik on a range of issues, including potential BRICS membership, he stated, “We intend to do it. As I said before, Nigeria runs a deliberative democratic system. So there tends to be a lot of engagement with different interest groups, different internal bodies before such an action is taken.”
The West African nation will join every group that is open as long as the intentions are good, well-meaning and clearly defined, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar also said in an interview with local Russian media. “Nigeria has come of age to decide for itself who her partners should be and where they should be, being multiple aligned is in our best interest,” Tuggar said. “We need to belong to groups like BRICS, like the G-20 and all these other ones because if there’s a certain criterion, say the largest countries in terms of population and economy should belong, then why isn’t Nigeria part of it?”
Back in November 2023, Tuggar made it clear that Nigeria would seek to join BRICS within the next two years to ensure the nation’s representation and influence on the global stage, and that “the West African nation is open to joining any alliance that has constructive, well-defined goals.”
Available information about countries that have declared interest and applied to join BRICS indicated that Nigeria has applied to join the economic bloc. In an interview with an Indian news channel, WION, in March 2023, South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor revealed that Nigeria was among the 12 countries that had applied to join the economic alliance.
When asked to name the countries that have applied to join BRICS, Pandor said, “They’ve come out publicly. Saudi Arabia is one, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria, and Argentina. So, it’s a growing list of Mexico and Nigeria. So, there’s huge interest worldwide. And once we’ve shaped the criteria, we will then make the decision.”
Meanwhile, in the speech delivered at the summit, the Vice President pledged that Nigeria was ready for collaboration and partnership that guarantees a world governed by acceptable rules and norms. However, given Nigeria’s strong relationship with the West, it remains to be seen if Africa’s powerhouse would join BRICS and its new members to counterpoise the economic dominance of the United States and its allies.
BRIC is an acronym for four countries, Brazil, Russia, India and China, which formed an economic bloc in 2009 to challenge the economic hegemony of the United States and its Western allies. The addition of South Africa to the informal association in 2010 transformed the acronym into BRICS.
World
Russia’s Expanding Geopolitical Influence in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Growing impatience over the fragile security situation in the Sahel region and collective anxiety to lift up and strengthen their Confederation of Sahel States (AES), some prefers the Alliance des États du Sahel (translates in English as the Alliance of Sahel States), the three Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger embarked on a fresh trip to Moscow.
Meetings, held in early April 2025, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov undoubtedly gave a strong boost to the AES relations, marking the latest new chapter in building sustainable security ties and economic cooperation.
Ahead of the meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the Sahel foreign ministers prioritized perspectives on regulating their political crisis as well as focusing on economic spheres. According to Russia’s MFA, the three African countries’ foreign ministries indicated in a joint statement that the joint visit as the first session of “AES-Russia consultations” which aims at finding appropriate pathways in fighting jihadist insurgencies that has spread across the region south of the Sahara.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger currently run by military governments that have taken power in coups between 2021 an 2022, have formed an alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). By creating their own bloc, it exposes Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) weaknesses and its long-term inability and incompetency to deal with regional problems, particularly rising security through mediation.
The French grouping later kicked out French and other Western forces and conveniently turned towards Russia for military support. Their foreign ministers will visit Moscow on April 3 and 4 and hold meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at his invitation, the statement said.
“The Moscow meeting represents an important step in establishing strategic, pragmatic, dynamic and supportive cooperation and partnership relations in areas of common interest between the AES and Russia,” the ministries said.
Basic research and review show that besides instability, these countries are engulfed with various socio-economic problems primarily due to the system of governance and poor policies toward sustainable development. And Russia’s renewed and full-fledged interest is primarily focused on uprooting French domination, and support the development goals of these French-speaking West African countries in the Sahel region.
For fear and concerns about the new rise of terrorism and for the sake of deeper cooperation and integration, the three Sahelian countries have turned to Russia, and as expected Russia has since offered tremendous assistance. As a follow up, the early April meetings in Moscow, several critical issues are on the agenda: military assistance to fight growing terrorism, and efforts to strengthen political dialogue and promote concrete partnerships relating to trade and the economy in the region.
The AES has multitude of obstacles, the main problems emerged after exiting out of ECOWAS, the regional organization consisting 16 West African states. Finance is another hurdle among others. Nevertheless, Russian Foreign Ministry explained in a statement posted on its website, that Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries is primarily directed at settling regional conflicts and preventing the spread of terrorist threats and fighting the growing terrorism in the continent.
Russia’s MFA has earlier assured: “we will continue supporting it with the supply of arms and hardware and personnel training, including peacekeepers, as it is very important to help put an end to this evil and other challenges and threats, including drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.”
With regards to financing AES, the bloc on March 31st introduced 0.5% levy on imported goods to finance their newly formed three-state union, following their withdrawal from ECOWAS. The agreed levy took immediate effect and applies to all imported goods except humanitarian aid.
It also implied that the move officially ended free trade with West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc, deepening the rift between the three and regional democracies like Nigeria and Ghana. Worth noting that ECOWAS sanctions imposed to force a return to civilian rule have had little impact, as the Sahel alliance continues to strengthen economic and security cooperation.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are among many African countries bartering natural resources. There have been cases, where huge natural-resource projects were given away without cabinet discussions and parliament’s approval.
Apparently, these agreements on resources extraction hardly deliver broad-based development dividends. Nevertheless, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have bilateral agreements with Russia. The three have offered complete access to exploiting their natural resources in exchange for military equipment and weaponry as well as military training. Burkina Faso signed a Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear energy with the State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) during the Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg in July 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned security issue and economic cooperation during his opening and closing speeches at the summit and even previously, indicating its importance on Russia’s agenda with Africa. In fact, there were five key summit documents and one of them focuses on ‘Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Terrorism’ which neatly relates to this article theme here under discussion.
Although Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have abundant human and natural resources, offering tremendous potential for rapid growth, there are existing deep-rooted challenges – environmental, political and security – that may affect the prosperity and peace of the region. Therefore, external support is badly required and which is why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have to look up to Russia as their economic and security saviour, particularly this changing geopolitical situation in the world.
According to various narratives, Russia has embarked on fighting “neo-colonialism” which it considers as a stumbling stone on its way to regain a part of its Soviet-era influence in Africa. Russia has sought to convince Africans over the past years of the likely dangers of neocolonial tendencies perpetrated by the former colonial countries and the scramble for resources on the continent.
In pursuit of its geopolitical interest, Russia has ultimately begun making inroads into the Sahel region, an elongated landlocked territory located between North Africa (Maghreb) and West Africa, and also stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.
With human and natural resources, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger China are undertaking giant economic and social transformation. Quite essentially, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, within the geopolitical reconfiguration in West Africa, are desirous to ensure their political sovereignty, engage in development which Russia has expressed interest to support.
Certainly, the three have pledged to work together to find common solutions, and are oriented towards multipolarity. In this way, they could consolidate its integration to become a center of influence, diversify the economy to become prosperous in the region. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are expected to continue to advance their collective interests for the purposes of their development, prosperity and stability.
World
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Slam 0.5% Import Levy on Nigeria, ECOWAS Nations

By Adedapo Adesanya
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – all under military rule- have announced a new 0.5 per cent levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-nations.
The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement.
Recall that the West African regional bloc, in January, in the spirit of regional solidarity, said they will recognise the national passports of the three countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice and will allow for free trade with the three states under military rule and free movement will happen without visas.
However, the three nations, according to an official statement, said the levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately, noting that it will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but will not include humanitarian aid.
Funds from the levy would be used to “finance the activities” of the bloc, the group said, without giving details.
The move ends free trade across West Africa, whose states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana to the south.
The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement following their exit from ECOWAS bloc.
Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.
Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.
The three countries, which are former colonies of France, have lamented the excesses and involvement of the European country on its affairs and resources. It has since built new relationships with Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
World
Explainer: Bashkortostan’s Modern Agricultural Technologies and Approaches Useful for Africa

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The importance of introducing new technologies, the need for adopting innovative approaches as key drivers for the development of agriculture, as well as the need to develop an agricultural insurance system, in the context of climate change and global challenges, dominated discussions during the largest agricultural forum held in Ufa, a city in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
The main plenary session under the unique theme: “Agricultural Export: goals, trends and key development guidelines 2030” was opened by its moderator Louis Gouend, an expert of the Russia-Africa Cooperation Council under the State Duma of the Russian Federation and chairman of the commission for work with African diasporas of the Russian-African Club at Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, as well as president of the African Business Club.
Louis Gouend welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the issues discussed for the sustainable growth of the Russian economy. In the context of sanctions and global challenges, such as import substitution, Russia was able to maintain stability and even increase the total volume of exports.
Ilshat Ildusovich Fazrakhmanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, addressing the forum, expressed warm greetings to participants, and further emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the field of agro-export. Fazrakhmanov introduced Zalina Lerievna Aiba, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Development of Agricultural Exports of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, for discussion of the federal agency’s strategies.
Zalina Lerievna Aiba singled out export growth as a key driver for the development of Russian agriculture. She noted the importance of Bashkortostan against this background and presented a program for the development of agricultural exports of the Republic of Bashkortostan until 2030, developed jointly with the Federal Center “Agroexport”. The program aims to give a new impetus to the development of the agricultural sector in the region.
Vitaly Yuryevich Nagalin presented promising areas for exporting Bashkortostan products, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches. In response to a question about products with high export potential, he emphasized the unique national products of Bashkiria that could interest the foreign market. Further, during the forum, the importance of introducing new technologies, such as digitalization and precision farming, to increase competitiveness was discussed.
The topic of supporting the agricultural sector was continued by discussing the role of Rosagroleasing. Pavel Nikolaevich Kosov spoke about the importance of material and technical equipment in the context of the Republic’s export potential. He emphasized that Rosagroleasing provides farmers with key tools for modernization, facilitating the renewal of the fleet of machinery and equipment, which is necessary for the effective use of innovations in agriculture.
Korney Datkovich Bizhdov presented a report on the importance of agricultural insurance as a mechanism for financial stability of the agricultural sector. He spoke about the support provided to Bashkortostan farmers last year, when the republic received 145 million rubles in insurance payments due to unfavorable weather conditions. Bizhdov emphasized the need to develop an agricultural insurance system in the context of climate change and global challenges. Promising development areas for the coming years were announced, including programs designed to protect agricultural producers and strengthen the position of the agro-industrial complex in international markets.
In her speech, Darya Vladimirovna Snitko emphasized the main trends in the Russian agro-industrial complex and the foreign economic challenges facing exports. She noted that it is necessary to adapt to rapidly changing global conditions and identified key strategies for strengthening the position of Russian agricultural products in the world market. Snitko also emphasized the importance of technological modernization and the need to invest in innovation to achieve a competitive advantage.
Sergey Vladimirovich Lakhtyukhov discussed the prospects for the export of poultry products, emphasizing the importance of international markets for the domestic sector. He spoke about the significant contribution of Bashkortostan to the production of poultry meat, where the region has increased production volumes by 153% over the past five years. Lakhtyukhov noted efforts in the field of import substitution of breeding material and highlighted areas that contribute to the growth of the export potential of Bashkir poultry farming, such as the production of commercial and breeding eggs.
In his speech, Roman Vyacheslavovich Kostyuk devoted attention to the strategic prospects of animal husbandry with an emphasis on export. He noted the leading positions of Bashkortostan in the production of milk and beef and emphasized that exports create new opportunities for Russian livestock breeders. In addition, Kostyuk focused on the need to increase production volumes, as well as on finding ways to successfully enter international markets, which will increase the income and competitiveness of domestic livestock farming.
At the end of the session, Louis Gouend, the African moderator and expert, invited all participants, entrepreneurs from the regions, to actively participate in the forthcoming Russia-Africa exhibition and forum in October 2025. The event will be held at the Chamber of Commerce of the Russian Federation in Moscow and expected to attract a large number of African entrepreneurs to interact with their Russian colleagues; this event is a unique platform for networking and exchanging experiences between Russian and African entrepreneurs. It is expected that the event will bring together a large number of representatives of business communities from African countries, which will create excellent opportunities for cooperation and the development of new business relations.
By participating in this forum, those present will be able to not only present their projects, but also learn about the latest trends and opportunities that the African market offers. It was strongly recommended that entrepreneurs take an active part in this significant upcoming corporate event.
In the final stage of the plenary session “Agro-Industrial Complex Export: Goals, Trends and Key Development Guidelines 2030” at the Agrocomplex Forum, Louis Gouend assertively noted that the entire discussion was a significant step towards building a sustainable and competitive agricultural export system. The meeting participants emphasized the importance of integrating new technologies and innovations that will help domestic producers take a strong position in the global market.
The future of the agro-industrial complex is mutually beneficial cooperation, sustainable development and confidence in the future, which became the main motive of the meeting. Continuing joint efforts and accumulating experience, were considered as conditions to achieve collective goals and ultimately contribute to global food security and population’s well-being.
The organizers in the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan sincerely thanked all participants and partners for their active participation and look forward to next meetings to discuss further steps toward the successful development of agricultural exports!
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