JUST IN: Nigeria seeks South Africa’s support for G20, BRICS membership

By Kunle Sanni

Nigeria has requested South Africa’s support for its bid to achieve full membership in the G20, BRICS, and the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB).

In addition, Nigeria is seeking South Africa’s backing to assume leadership roles in thematic discussions of interest during South Africa’s G20 presidency.

The request was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during her closing remarks at the ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, South Africa, on Monday.

South Africa officially assumed the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), which includes the world’s wealthiest nations, on December 1. The expanded BRICS group, which includes South Africa, has become a key engine of global economic growth in recent years, accounting for about 37 percent of the world’s GDP.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, the Minister called on South Africa to support efforts in accelerating the peace process in Sudan.

She emphasized that President Bola Tinubu, a member of the African Union’s ad-hoc mediation committee, has prioritized resolving the crisis in Sudan to foster peace and stability in the region.

“We are strongly committed to resolving the crisis in Sudan, and in this regard, we seek South Africa’s support to further accelerate the peace process and ensure that conflicts in our region are de-escalated,” she said. “With peace, we can hope for greater progress and development across all spheres.”

The Minister commended the officials of both countries for their hard work in drafting the communiqué and facilitating amendments and submissions during the ministerial session of the BNC.

The draft communiqué and agreed minutes will be presented to Presidents Bola Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidential BNC session on Tuesday in Cape Town.

In response, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Roland Lamola, affirmed that South Africa would amplify Africa’s voice during its G20 presidency and acknowledged Nigeria’s requests.

“We will rely on Nigeria’s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility,” he said.

Dr. Lamola, who co-chaired the BNC session, emphasized the mutual resolve to deepen dynamic and vibrant bilateral relations.

“Our people expect South Africa and Nigeria, given our common roots, to continue working together more closely to improve their conditions and prospects, and enhance the quality of life,” he said.

Dr. Lamola outlined priority areas for collaboration, including trade, investment, tourism, health, education, agriculture, ICT, artificial intelligence, arts and culture, climate change, defense, and security. He stressed the importance of expediting the finalization and implementation of outstanding agreements under the BNC framework.

The ministerial meeting sets the stage for high-level engagement between Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa, where key agreements will be signed, and initiatives to strengthen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and South Africa will be unveiled.