Nigeria steps up BRICS membership drive

Just over a month after Nigeria was officially added to the BRICS bloc as a partner state alongside the 12 other countries during the annual BRICS Summit held in Russia in October, the West African country is now seeking South Africa's endorsement to attain full membership in BRICS and the BRICS New Development Bank.

Speaking during the ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission held in South Africa on Monday Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria's minister of state for foreign affairs said that the request be contained in the draft communique of the Bi-National Commission, that will be presented to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for their approval, according to Nigerian newspaper The Punch.

While also seeking South Africa's backing to join the Group of 20, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed Nigeria's commitment to playing a significant role in fostering regional peace as she encouraged South Africa to help accelerate the Sudanese peace process.

"We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan and in this guise, we seek South Africa's support to further accelerate the peace process and to ensure that within our region, conflicts are de-escalated. We can hope that with peace, greater progress and development can be achieved across all spheres," Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

While responding to Nigeria's request Roland Lamola, South Africa's minister of international relations and cooperation promised to amplify Nigeria's wishes and underscored the mutual resolve to deepen dynamic and vibrant bilateral relations. On Sunday, South Africa formally took the leadership of the G20, a central forum for the world's major economies.