In News:

• Nigeria has been admitted as the 9th "Partner Country" of the BRICS grouping under Brazil’s presidency in 2025.
• Other BRICS partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
• A "partner country" in BRICS is allowed to attend summits, ministerial meetings, and participate in joint initiatives, but does not have formal membership or decision-making power.

About Nigeria’s Role

• Nigeria has the 6th largest population globally and the largest in Africa.
• It is the 4th largest economy in Africa, often termed the "Giant of Africa".
• Nigeria plays a significant role in South-South cooperation and reform of global governance structures, aligning with BRICS' strategic objectives.

About BRICS

• Founded: 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China; South Africa joined in 2010.
• New Full Members (as of 2023): Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, and Indonesia (effective Jan 2025).
• Membership Invitations: Saudi Arabia has been invited but not yet accepted.
• Applicants: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Malaysia have formally applied.
• Three Pillars of Cooperation:
  1. Political and Security
  2. Economic and Financial
  3. Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges
• Represents ~40% of global population and ~37.3% of global GDP.

India has hosted BRICS Summits in 2012 (4th), 2016 (8th), and 2021 (13th).