Nigeria has recorded a series of significant diplomatic successes at the recently concluded 39th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), most notably securing a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank (ACB).
The achievement marks a watershed moment in the nation’s leadership role within Africa’s burgeoning financial and economic integration framework. In a statement issued on Friday, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, remarked that the decision reflects “Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture.”
The Minister emphasised that the appointment underscores Nigeria’s “technical capacity, economic significance, and commitment to advancing Africa’s monetary integration agenda.”
As part of this new mandate, Nigeria’s representation now extends to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute (AMI). The AMI serves as the precursor to the African Central Bank, and this development is viewed as a critical step toward the continent’s long-term objective of establishing a unified African monetary system and a single currency.
Nigeria’s influence was equally evident in the sphere of peace and security. The nation played a pivotal role in securing the successful election of candidates endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the AU Peace and Security Council.
Ambassador Tuggar described the election results as “a reflection of the strong cohesion, cooperation, and unity among ECOWAS Member States,” noting that it demonstrates a collective regional resolve to promote stability across the continent.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria further demonstrated its commitment to governance by hosting a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy. The forum drew participants from across Africa and the international community to foster dialogue on:
Strengthening democratic institutions and inclusive governance.
Enhancing collaborative regional approaches to sustaining democratic values.
Fostering diplomatic partnerships to counter unconstitutional changes of government.
Ambassador Tuggar noted that these achievements reaffirm Nigeria’s dedication to the core objectives of the African Union. “Nigeria remains committed to advancing Africa’s shared prosperity, peace, and sustainable development,” he stated, adding that the outcomes highlight the country’s “enduring leadership in promoting economic integration and institutional development.”
The 39th Session of the AU Executive Council served as a preparatory assembly for ministers and senior officials from all member-states to review continental priorities ahead of the upcoming AU Heads of State Summit.
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