The government has stood firm against the recent statements made by the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding potential sanctions on countries engaging with BRICS. Nigeria has recently aligned itself with BRICS and is working towards full membership in the near future.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. The group has since welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members. These countries participated in the recent summit held in Kazan, Russia.
The alliance aims to introduce a new currency to challenge the dominance of the US dollar in global trade. However, this initiative, known as the ‘BRICS currency project,’ is not expected to be implemented until 2025.
Trump’s threat of imposing 100% tariffs on countries involved in creating a new currency to rival the US dollar has been met with a nonchalant response from Nigeria. The Nigerian presidency asserts the country’s sovereignty in deciding its alliances and partnerships.
Nigeria’s stance was further supported by the Special Assistant on Media Communication and Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the country’s pursuit of international memberships to enhance its economy and asserting its right to align with any nation it deems suitable.
Despite skepticism from some quarters, Nigeria maintains its interest in potentially joining BRICS, viewing it as a beneficial move given the economic strength of the member nations. The country aims to prioritize its national interests and ensure that any international alignments serve its own agenda rather than foreign influences.
There are concerns raised about Nigeria’s involvement in global power struggles without a full understanding of the implications. It is essential for Nigeria to focus on addressing internal challenges such as infrastructure, energy, education, and employment opportunities before engaging in extensive global partnerships.