The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country.

The ministry in a statement issued by its Acting Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the partnership will help align Nigeria’s aspirations for inclusive growth and regional integration, in line with the best practices of strategic autonomy.

Nigeria becomes the ninth BRICS partner, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, who can attend BRICS meetings and events, but does not have full membership privileges like voting rights.

Brazil, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc, described Nigeria as having converging interests with other members of the group, and as one of the world’s top oil producers, it brings significant economic weight to the group.