The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Monday, 27 July 2026, held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during which both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the African Union, advancing institutional reforms, promoting regional peace and stability, and accelerating Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
The Honourable Minister commended the Chairperson for the positive strides recorded under his leadership of the African Union Commission and expressed appreciation for the Commission’s continued efforts to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the institution. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to supporting the work of the Commission in advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the continent’s collective aspirations.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu appreciated the Commission’s earlier decision regarding Nigeria’s permanent membership of the African Monetary Institute (AMI) mechanism and requested the issuance of the necessary corrigendum to formally reflect the decision adopted by the Assembly and Executive Council.
The Honourable Minister also expressed appreciation for the appointment of qualified Nigerians into the African Union system.
In his response, the Chairperson assured the Honourable Minister that the issues raised would be examined in accordance with the African Union’s established recruitment procedures and quota system. He further assured Nigeria of the Commission’s commitment to increasing the number of qualified Nigerians serving within the African Union.
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role and substantial financial contributions to the African Union, describing Nigeria as a Tier One Member State whose commitment remains indispensable to the success of the continental organisation.
The meeting also reviewed current political developments across Africa, with particular focus on the Sahel region, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained dialogue, constitutional governance and collective African responses to emerging political and security challenges. The Chairperson appealed for Nigeria’s continued leadership and support through regional diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and democratic governance across the continent.
The discussions further examined Africa’s long-term development priorities. Both leaders emphasized the need for greater continental self-reliance through strategic investments in agriculture, industrialisation, digital technology, artificial intelligence, innovation and job creation to harness Africa’s demographic advantage. They also highlighted the importance of strengthening Africa’s health systems and reducing dependence on external assistance in responding to public health challenges.
The Chairperson commended the growing investments of African enterprises across the continent as examples of African-led industrial development and encouraged greater collaboration among Member States to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
The meeting reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the African Union Commission and underscored Nigeria’s continued commitment to promoting African unity, regional integration, sustainable development, and effective multilateral cooperation in pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous and self-reliant Africa.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
