Adamu Garba, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has identified Nigeria’s failure to join the BRICS group at the right time as the “biggest mistake” the country has made in the first quarter of this century. In a detailed statement, Garba lamented that this missed opportunity has had far-reaching economic and geopolitical repercussions for Nigeria.
Garba highlighted how, instead of leveraging strategic alliances with emerging global powers like the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), Nigeria has continued to rely heavily on Western loans and align its policies with Western interests. He noted that this alignment has not yielded the expected benefits, as Western countries have increasingly targeted Nigeria with negative media campaigns, trade restrictions, and hostile visa policies.
One specific example Garba mentioned is the looming ban by Europe on Nigerian cocoa exports under allegations of deforestation, signaling a strain in trade relations. He also criticized Western countries for repatriating convicted criminals to Nigeria, worsening security challenges amid soaring terrorism, drug trafficking, and cattle rustling within the country.
According to Garba, Nigeria’s inability to assert its sovereignty and independence through stronger ties with the Global South and influential blocs like BRICS and SCO reflects a lack of strategic foresight by previous administrations. He called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s foreign policy to prioritize genuine national interests over electoral politics, emphasizing that Nigeria’s future hinges on embracing alliances that acknowledge its value and contribution to global affairs.
Garba’s comments come amid warnings that Nigeria may face serious functional challenges in coming decades if systemic political and governance reforms are not urgently addressed. He urged Nigerians, especially the younger generation, to confront harsh realities and work towards a more honest, effective governance framework that would restore the country’s standing on the international stage.
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