Nigeria has called out U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s recent warning about the country’s potential BRICS membership, brushing off his threat of imposing heavy sanctions. Trump had previously threatened to slap 100% tariffs on nations joining the BRICS group, including Nigeria, as he raised concerns over the growing influence of the bloc. But Nigeria isn’t backing down. Despite the U.S. leader’s comments, Nigerian officials are standing firm on their decision to pursue full BRICS membership, expected to happen in the next couple of years.
The BRICS group, initially made up of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa, and more recently welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE. The group is now exploring ways to create a new currency to challenge the global dominance of the U.S. dollar, which is part of the reason for Trump’s comments.
However, Nigerian officials are not intimidated. A government source pointed out that Nigeria’s sovereignty and its ability to make independent decisions about its international relationships are non-negotiable. Special Assistant to the Foreign Minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir, reinforced that Nigeria will continue to explore international partnerships that benefit its economy, regardless of outside pressure.
While some have dismissed Trump’s threats as just empty words, others, like former Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, have called for caution. Farounbi urges Nigeria to carefully consider the impact of aligning with powerful global blocs like BRICS, especially given the country’s ongoing economic struggles.
The debate continues about whether joining BRICS is truly in Nigeria’s best interest. While some see it as a step forward for economic growth and diversification, others question how it will affect Nigeria’s already strained infrastructure and economy.
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