Nigeria, AU Strengthen Partnership for Continental Growth

Nigeria and the African Union Commission (AUC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening continental cooperation, advancing institutional reforms, promoting regional peace and stability, and accelerating Africa’s socio-economic development.
The commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council meeting held on Monday, July 27.
During the meeting, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended the AUC Chairperson for the progress recorded under his leadership and praised the Commission’s efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the continental body. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for the Commission’s implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its broader development goals.
The minister also appreciated the Commission’s decision on Nigeria’s permanent membership of the African Monetary Institute (AMI) mechanism and requested the issuance of the necessary corrigendum to formally reflect the resolution adopted by the Assembly and Executive Council. She further acknowledged the appointment of qualified Nigerians into the African Union system.
In his response, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf assured Nigeria that the concerns raised would be addressed in line with the African Union’s recruitment procedures and quota system. He pledged the Commission’s commitment to increasing the number of qualified Nigerians serving within the AU.
Youssouf described Nigeria as a Tier One Member State, highlighting its longstanding leadership role and significant financial contributions to the African Union. He noted that Nigeria’s continued commitment remains vital to the success of the continental organisation.
Both leaders reviewed political developments across Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar. They stressed the importance of sustained dialogue, constitutional governance and collective African efforts in addressing emerging political and security challenges. The AUC Chairperson also appealed for Nigeria’s continued diplomatic leadership in promoting peace, stability and democratic governance across the continent.
The discussions further focused on Africa’s long-term development agenda, with both sides emphasizing the need for greater self-reliance through strategic investments in agriculture, industrialisation, digital technology, artificial intelligence, innovation and job creation to harness the continent’s youthful population. They also highlighted the importance of strengthening Africa’s healthcare systems and reducing dependence on external assistance in tackling public health challenges.
Youssouf commended the growing investments by African enterprises across the continent as examples of African-led industrial development and encouraged stronger collaboration among member states to unlock Africa’s vast economic potential.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the African Union Commission, while reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to promoting African unity, regional integration, sustainable development and effective multilateral cooperation toward building a peaceful, prosperous and self-reliant Africa.