The Critical Pen By Halimah Nuhu Sanda
Nigeria’s participation in the BRICS summit has generated discussion in policy and diplomatic circles, as well as in the traditional and social media. It is not surprising that interest is growing. Rethinking alliances is not only strategic but also essential for a nation navigating uncertain global tides and intense economic pressures as global power becomes more dispersed and traditional alliances lose some of their hold.
The question of how and with whom to interact with the rest of the world no longer concerns a nation as strategically positioned as Nigeria, which is abundant in resources, people, and potential. Once a loosely defined group of emerging economies, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) coalition is rapidly becoming a potent counterweight to the global order dominated by the West.
The world is undergoing a shift. Global diplomacy is entering a multipolar era as a result of China’s ascent and Russia’s reassertion on the international scene, as well as the relative decline of Western dominance. Long regarded as the gatekeepers of development finance, traditional organisations like the World Bank and IMF are increasingly perceived by developing nations as inflexible, remote, and out of touch with local needs.
The timing of Nigeria’s BRICS partnership is significant on a domestic level. The country is navigating economic stagnation, dwindling oil revenue, a rapidly depreciating naira, and an urgent need to close infrastructure gaps. The appetite for alternative partners is not merely diplomatic – it is existential.
In recent public remarks, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, encapsulated this urgency by stating that “Nigeria cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of a changing global order.” His comments demonstrate a foreign policy that sees opportunities in times of change, and understands the cost of hesitation as well an awareness that standing still in a dynamic world is as risky as making the wrong move. The push to engage BRICS could, therefore, be seen as an attempt to reposition Nigeria as an active participant in reshaping global governance.
There’s also the geopolitical calculus. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa (depending on the metrics used) and its most populous nation. Joining BRICS would increase its international recognition and potentially strengthen its diplomatic voice, especially on matters impacting the Global South.
Additionally, there is a compelling economic component. China and India are already two of Nigeria’s largest trading partners. Closer ties within a structured framework could help stabilise trade relations and possibly open doors for Nigerian goods and services in new markets. Tuggar himself has emphasised that Nigeria would not be joining BRICS “cap in hand” but would “bring value” to the table, which is especially important in a world where global alliances are increasingly strategic rather than sentimental.
This posture, confident but pragmatic, reflects a new tone in Nigeria’s foreign policy, one that acknowledges the country’s strengths while also recognising its gaps.
However, there are some geopolitical concerns. Nigeria has long maintained strong partnerships with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, particularly in areas of security cooperation and development aid. A shift eastward, if not delicately balanced, could unsettle these relationships or complicate foreign investment sentiment.
Second, and perhaps more pressing, are readiness questions. Nigeria’s struggles with frequent policy reversals, institutional fragility, slow project implementation, and lack of a coherent long-term economic vision could limit its ability to fully benefit from such a partnership. The BRICS bloc, while offering an alternative, is not a charity; it is a collective of interest-driven nations seeking strategic advantage. To succeed within it, Nigeria requires strong negotiation, vision, and execution—areas where we still have work to do.
Moreover, the risk of deepening economic dependence on China, a dominant force in BRICS, cannot be ignored. While Beijing has of late been a generous financier across Africa, critics warn of growing debt exposure and creeping dependency. Infrastructure financing without transparency has historically led many countries into unsustainable debt cycles. Nigeria must tread carefully, ensuring that engagement comes with safeguards for sovereignty and longterm development.
Nigeria can also learn from the experience of others. South Africa, the only current African BRICS member, has benefited from diplomatic visibility and economic partnerships, though critics note it has yet to fully capitalise on its seat at the table due to internal challenges and policy inertia.
More recently, countries like Egypt and Ethiopia have either expressed interest or moved toward BRICS participation. Their experience will be instructive. The key lesson is that joining the bloc membership is not a magic bullet. The outcomes depend less on entry and more on internal capacity and preparation, the clarity of national objectives, a strong domestic policy agenda, strategic consistency, and clear diplomatic positioning.
What stands out in this moment is Nigeria’s noticeably more assertive foreign policy tone and the Foreign Affairs Minister’s role in shaping the narrative. Ambassador Tuggar’s media engagements have shown a break from the traditional, reticent style of Nigerian diplomacy. He has not only raised the issue of BRICS engagement but framed it within Nigeria’s broader national interest.
Under Ambassador Tuggar’s leadership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaging global platforms with greater visibility and clarity. But we must not forget the world is changing, and so, Nigeria must decide whether it wants to be a mere observer or a serious player in this transition. The conversation around BRICS is less about immediate membership and more about what kind of global actor Nigeria aspires to be.
There is no doubt that multipolarity is the future. But bold aspirations must always be weighed against internal realities. So, the bigger question is whether Nigeria is institutionally prepared to play at that level. Joining BRICS or any other bloc should not be seen as an end in itself but as part of a broader strategy to redefine Nigeria’s place in the world.
In this emerging world order, visibility is no longer enough. Presence must come with purpose, and so Nigeria must show up and be ready to lead. Because leadership, especially on the global stage, must begin at home.
Halimah Nuhu Sanda, a clumnist with Daily Trust, can be reached through halimahwrites@romzaibfoundation.org, 0810000137 (Text Only)