By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peace, security, democratic governance and sustainable development across Africa, pledging to deepen collaboration with the African Union (AU) in advancing the continent’s priorities.
The commitment was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a meeting with the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting.
At the meeting, Adeoye commended Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to the AU Peace and Security Council, describing the country as a strong pillar in promoting peace, stability and democratic governance across Africa. He urged Nigeria to sustain its leadership role in conflict prevention, institutional strengthening and ongoing reforms within the African Union.
The commissioner also highlighted key AU initiatives aimed at reinforcing the continent’s peace and governance framework, including the AU Peace Fund, the Peace, Security and Development Nexus Programme, and plans to establish an African Institute for Democratic Governance. According to him, the proposed institute will strengthen the capacity of young diplomats through collaboration among diplomatic academies across Africa.
The two officials also reviewed the security situation in the Sahel, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Sudan, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly scheduled to hold in Angola. Adeoye stressed the importance of Nigeria’s active engagement in continental mediation efforts and regional diplomacy.
In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended Adeoye for his contributions to the African Union and his support for Nigeria, particularly in facilitating a $21 million European Union intervention for the Multinational Joint Task Force.
She reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with the African Union to advance peace, security and democratic governance across the continent, while emphasizing the need for African countries to build stronger institutions, forge strategic partnerships and take greater ownership of their development agenda.
The meeting also explored the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in conflict prevention and peace support operations. Discussions further focused on strengthening diplomatic capacity across Africa and creating opportunities for qualified Africans, especially young Nigerians, to occupy leadership positions in international organisations.
At the end of the meeting, both sides pledged to deepen cooperation in promoting peace, security, mediation, institutional development and sustainable growth in line with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
