Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has dismissed considerations that President Bola Tinubu’s participation in BRICS+ might result in tensions with a possible President Donald Trump’s administration in the US, stating that Tinubu’s management model aligns with liberal democratic values.
Talking on Channels Tv’s Sunday Politics programme, Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South District within the tenth Nationwide Meeting, said that Tinubu’s ideological method will not be in battle with Trump’s, regardless of variations in governance model.
He mentioned, “Tinubu received’t have an issue in any respect with Donald Trump as a result of Tinubu is a liberalist; Tinubu will not be a realist. So, Tinubu falls pari passu with the American liberal democratic society.”
In accordance with him, each Nigeria and the US share liberal democratic rules, which can assist preserve a steady bilateral relationship.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the private management philosophies of the 2 leaders could differ, with Tinubu prioritizing cooperation and collaboration whereas Trump adopts a extra transactional and unilateral method to overseas coverage.
Nigeria’s Strategic Engagement with BRICS+
In January 2025, Nigeria accepted an invite to affix BRICS+ as a accomplice nation, marking a big shift in its world financial alignments. This improvement, Ibrahim famous, displays the rising significance of Africa in world geopolitics.
He highlighted China’s growing affect on the continent, stating that BRICS+, which now consists of 10 member states, has already approached President Tinubu for financial alignment, significantly relating to commerce in China’s forex, the Yuan.
“Donald Trump has an excellent alternative to take a seat down with Tinubu as an African chief and perceive the political engagement that we now have right here as a result of China is already infiltrating Africa,” Ibrahim mentioned.
China’s Financial Push in Africa
Ibrahim elaborated on China’s strategic financial engagements throughout Africa, together with infrastructure investments by way of loans for airports, seaports, and different key initiatives. He famous that China’s final purpose is to achieve legitimacy on the continent by way of these financial alliances.
“China gave loans to many African international locations to construct airports, seaports and others however what’s China in search of? The legitimacy of the continent.”
He additional revealed that China had approached President Tinubu with a proposal to facilitate commerce in Yuan, to which Tinubu responded by demanding a rise in commerce quantity and advantages for Nigeria earlier than any commitments had been made.
“On the identical time, China has come to Bola Tinubu to say: ‘Look, come and commerce in our forex’. And Tinubu has given them the reply: ‘Improve the amount of commerce, and improve my profit earlier than I come to you’. They return house to consider it.”
Africa’s Rising Function in World Energy Dynamics
Ibrahim emphasised that Africa is changing into more and more central within the geopolitical wrestle between the US and China.
He recommended that each superpowers acknowledge the continent as a vital participant in shaping the way forward for world hegemonic management.
“Over time, America and China are going to take a look at Africa as the main need of the geocentric political system when it comes to the hegemonic management of the world and its acceptance.”
