Nigeria seeks South Africa’s support to join G20

Nigeria has called for the support of South Africa in its bid to become a member of the G20, BRICS and the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB).

The request was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador 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, a club including the world’s wealthiest nations on December 1. The expanded BRICS, of which South Africa is also a member, boasts of being the engine of global economic growth in recent years, accounting for about 37 per cent of the world’s GDP.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, the minister urged South Africa to lend its support in accelerating the peace process in Sudan.

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She said President Bola Tinubu, who is a member of the ad-hoc mediation committee established by the African Union, has prioritised resolving the crisis to foster peace and stability in the region.

In his 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 noted Nigeria’s requests.

Meanwhile, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnership with South Africa across diverse fields, especially in infrastructure and mining sectors. Speaking at the opening of 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) ministerial session in Cape Town, the minister said Nigeria will present a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration with South on the certification of Nigerian mining geologists and other professionals in the field.