Nigeria’s non-invitation to join BRICS membership following invitations sent to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reflects the country’s unimpressive foreign policy.
On 22 August 2023, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (known as the BRICS, a group of major emerging economies) held their 15th summit in Johannesburg, the third to take place in South Africa after the ones held in 2013 and 2018.
Among the core issues raised at the summit, the issuance of new memberships was the most pressing topic addressed. Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, Argentina, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were all invited to join with effect from January 2024 while Nigeria, a supposed continental powerhouse, did not receive a membership invite. What could have led to this catastrophic foreign policy failure?
While attending the summit, Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said ‘We want a partnership that provides opportunities for all to engage in trade, prosperity and shared progress with no marginalization based on geography, race and legitimate sovereign affiliations.’ He also emphasized the need for regional organizations and the creation of a new model of international collaboration...
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