ABUJA, Nigeria -- Nigeria has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, according to Brazil, the group’s chair. BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, with South Africa added in 2010, as a counterweight to the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations.

The Brazilian government has confirmed the formal admission of Nigeria as a partner country into the intergovernmental organisation popularly known as BRICS. The South American country made the announcement in a statement by its Foreign Ministry on Friday,

Nigeria has officially joined BRICS as a partner country. This aligns with the group's strategy to increase its influence, particularly in opposing the G7 countries, with Russia playing a key role in this process.