Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, security, democratic governance, and sustainable development across Africa through stronger collaboration with the African Union (AU).
The assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a meeting with Bankole Adeoye on the sidelines of the AU Executive Council Meeting.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the minister praised Adeoye for his outstanding contributions to the African Union and his continued support for Nigeria. She particularly acknowledged his role in facilitating the European Union’s $21 million support package for the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with the AU to strengthen peace, security, and democratic governance across the continent through sustained cooperation and strategic engagement.
She stressed that Africa must increasingly pursue sustainable development through self-reliance, stronger institutions, and effective partnerships, noting that the continent is gradually shifting away from dependence on external aid toward greater ownership of its development agenda.
In his remarks, Adeoye commended Nigeria’s contributions to the AU Peace and Security Council over the past 22 years, describing the country as a key driver of Africa’s peace and security initiatives.
He encouraged Nigeria to maintain its leadership role within the AU by supporting efforts aimed at conflict prevention, democratic governance, and institutional development across Africa.
Adeoye also highlighted initiatives designed to strengthen the continent’s peace architecture, including the AU Peace Fund, the Peace, Security and Development Nexus, and the African Institute for Democratic Governance.
According to him, the institute will help build the capacity of young African diplomats through partnerships with diplomatic academies and training institutions across the continent.
He further urged Nigeria to remain actively engaged in AU summits while strengthening its leadership in mediation, conflict prevention, and regional diplomacy.
The meeting also reviewed the evolving security challenges in the Sahel region, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Sudan, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly scheduled to take place in Angola.
Both officials also discussed the growing role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in conflict prevention and peace support operations, while exploring ways to strengthen diplomatic capacity across Africa and increase opportunities for qualified Africans, especially young Nigerians, to occupy leadership positions in international organizations.
The statement noted that the discussions underscored Nigeria’s continued commitment to advancing regional stability and supporting the African Union’s long-term peace and development agenda.
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