African Think Tank Backs Akasoba Duke-Abiola for UN Secretary-General

The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), a pan-African think tank, has endorsed Nigerian law professor and diplomat, Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola, for the position of the next United Nations Secretary-General, while urging President Bola Tinubu to formally nominate and back her candidacy.

The endorsement comes as the global search intensifies for a successor to current UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term expires on December 31, 2026.

In a nomination letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, APRC’s Deputy Executive Coordinator, Prof. Edward Agbai, described Duke-Abiola as a distinguished Nigerian with the intellectual depth, diplomatic experience and leadership credentials required to lead the world’s foremost multilateral organisation.

According to Agbai, the consortium received Duke-Abiola’s nomination through the Nigerian National Think Tank and considered her a strong candidate capable of advancing Africa’s voice on the global stage.

“We commend your distinguished record of public service and your willingness to serve the international community at the highest level,” the letter stated.

Agbai noted that while Duke-Abiola possesses the qualifications for the office, the UN selection process requires candidates to be formally nominated by their home governments before they can be considered.

He explained that under established UN procedures, member states submit candidates’ names to the President of the UN Security Council, which reviews all nominations before recommending one candidate to the UN General Assembly for appointment.

“For any Nigerian aspiring to the office, the authority to submit such a nomination rests exclusively with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the appropriate constitutional and diplomatic channels,” Agbai said.

The consortium therefore appealed to President Tinubu to formally endorse Duke-Abiola’s candidacy, arguing that such a move would reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to international leadership and complement the country’s campaign for a permanent voice in global governance, including its quest for greater representation on the UN Security Council.

According to APRC, presenting Duke-Abiola as Nigeria’s candidate would demonstrate the country’s readiness to offer a globally respected leader with proven expertise in governance, diplomacy and international affairs.

The organisation further argued that her emergence would mark a significant milestone for Africa, projecting the continent as a source of global leadership, innovation, mediation and institutional wisdom rather than merely a recipient of international policies.

Duke-Abiola, a professor of law, is widely recognised for her work in human rights advocacy, diplomacy, security, sustainable development and global leadership. She is also the widow of the late Nigerian statesman and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.