It’s A Slap On Our Face, Nigeria Should Never Have Accepted To Be A BRICS Partner Country – Prof Akinyemi

A foremost professor of political science and former Minister of External Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, has condemned Nigeria’s decision to become a partner country in the economic bloc, BRICS.

According to him, it is belittling and a slap on the face of Nigerians to accept such a role.

He argued that with the status and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria, the country should have been an original member of BRICS or granted full membership during its expansion rather than a partner country.

Speaking on Monday as a guest on Channels Television about the recent admission of Nigeria as a partner country in BRICS, Akinyemi said he is not happy about the development.

He said, “I am not happy. Can you tell me the difference between a partner country and a member given our GDP in Africa compared to Ethiopia or even South Africa? Is it a partner country that befits us? No.

“We should have been part of the original members of BRICS. I have said this on several platforms. I don’t know why we were never an original member; I don’t know why we were not invited to join as a full member as they were expanding it.

“I think it is a slap in our face, and we should never have accepted this partner member if that is what they call it.”

Meanwhile, the presidency has maintained that Nigeria’s interest is not threatened by joining the BRICS economic bloc.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Daniel Bwala, stated that Nigeria’s partnership status was an advantage as it would help the country in global politics.

Highlighting the advantage of the country’s partner status, President Tinubu’s media aide noted that BRICS member states and the bloc would always consider the effects of policies on partner nations.

Bwala also emphasized that the opinions of partner nations, including Nigeria, would always be considered by the BRICS bloc in decision-making.

Naija News reported that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maitama Yusuf Tuggar, announced on Saturday, that Nigeria was accepted as a partner nation to BRICS.