The Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Media, Daniel Bwala has stated that Nigeria’s partnership with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) offers significant opportunities, particularly in trade, investments, and agriculture.
This collaboration could enhance Nigeria’s access to new markets, attract foreign investments, and strengthen its agricultural sector, while also boosting the country’s geopolitical standing and overall economic growth.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Bwala highlighted the economic and developmental opportunities this relationship fosters.
“A partner member means that a country can participate in areas of interest with BRICS,” Bwala stated.
“These areas include promoting trade and investment, food security, infrastructural development, and climate change adaptation. These collaborations and partnerships are essential in navigating global economic realities.”
Bwala emphasized that Nigeria’s partnership with BRICS provides an opportunity to engage with member countries on a variety of initiatives, surpassing the scope of traditional bilateral agreements. This broader collaboration could open up new avenues for progress and cooperation.
“The areas of interest are promoting trade and investment, food security because it’s part of what the climate change … food security, infrastructural development, trade and investment, are all part of this collaboration, engagement and partnerships that the global community tend to promote depending on the bloc that you belong to,” he noted.
He noted that Nigeria has already started benefiting in specific areas. For example, in agriculture, Nigeria has gained from its collaboration with Russia, a country known for its strong agricultural systems and food security initiatives.
Similarly, China’s contributions to infrastructure and technology have had a significant impact on Nigeria’s development, especially in the construction of vital infrastructure and the advancement of digital innovation.
“In the area of trade and investment, if you see some of the member countries look at China and Russia. Russia in agriculture, we’ve benefitted a lot from them. China, of course, in infrastructure, in tech,” he said.
Bwala also highlighted the significance of food security measures in Nigeria’s collaboration with BRICS. As global climate challenges worsen, BRICS provides a platform for innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable farming practices.
Nigeria’s increasing engagement with Russia, a leading global grain exporter, bolsters its ability to address food shortages and fulfill domestic needs.
Nigeria officially became a partner country of BRICS last week, as confirmed by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry.
