Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs has arrived in New Delhi to represent the country at a key meeting of BRICS foreign ministers. Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed is attending the two-day summit at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre on behalf of the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The talks, held on 14 and 15 May, come as the bloc seeks to expand its influence across the Global South.
A ‘pivotal’ moment
The meeting is being chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and serves as the primary diplomatic precursor to the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for later this year.
Diplomats say the agenda is dominated by three main pillars:Economic Cooperation: Strengthening trade routes and reducing reliance on Western financial systems.
Global Governance: Pushing for reforms in the UN Security Council and international lending institutions.
Regional Security: Addressing the impact of ongoing global conflicts on emerging economies.
Why Nigeria is there
While Nigeria is not currently a full member of BRICS, its presence in New Delhi underscores the “Renewed Hope” administration’s desire to engage with new economic power centres.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit is focused on “promoting Nigeria’s national interests” and “attracting foreign investment.” Nigeria’s participation appears to be a strategic move to ensure it is not left behind as the bloc—which now includes heavyweights like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt—continues to reshape the global geopolitical landscape.
What is BRICS?
The group was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining shortly after. In recent years, it has transformed from a symbolic investment club into a formal geopolitical bloc. The 2026 summit in India is expected to focus on “Resilience and Sustainability,” as member states navigate a period of intense global economic volatility
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