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  • AU Summit: Nigeria calls for joint maritime task force for Gulf of Guinea

    AU Summit: Nigeria calls for joint maritime task force for Gulf of Guinea

    In a bold step towards securing Africa’s maritime domain, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to establish a Combined Maritime Task Force to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea. 

    Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa on Sunday, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading this initiative and announced Lagos as the proposed headquarters for the task force.

    President Tinubu conveyed Nigeria’s position as the AU considered the report on the AUPSC, focusing on peace and security in Africa, and the biennial report on the implementation of the Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa (2023-2024).

    According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s message was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

    “The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea.

    “I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos,” he said.

    Nigeria’s recommendation of a maritime task force comes on the same day that it signed an agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for AU peace support operations, natural disaster support, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.

    Nigeria’s defence minister, Badaru Abubakar, signed the agreement. Under the agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for the operations on a cost-recovery basis.

    Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed, witnessed the agreement signing.

    Read Also: Tinubu arrives Ethiopia for AU summit

    Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, signed for the AU.

    President Tinubu expressed satisfaction that the AUPSC had already adopted the outcomes of a high–level meeting, including the decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter–Terrorism Centre.

    He also appreciated the Peace and Security Council’s decision to renew the mandate of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, addressing the twin challenges of terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Region.

    On Libya, the Nigerian leader expressed concern that the instability in the North African country has continued to worsen security challenges in the Sahel and called on the Assembly to back initiatives to restore law and order.

    “The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he warned.

    President Tinubu highlighted the severe insecurity affecting countries grappling with democratic transition, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon.

    “It would not be out of place to explore the possibility of extending the inherent benefits of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to support AU Peace Support Operations,” he said.

    In doing so, he added that the AU must try to prevent the increasing incursion of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, into African security matters.

    President Tinubu welcomed the progress in operationalising the African Standby Force, reiterating Nigeria’s support.

    He appealed to all AU member countries and delegations to show the necessary flexibility and allow the draft MoU on the operationalisation of the standby force to be adopted.

    African credit rating agency:

    President Tinubu also strongly supported an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), noting that it would provide fairer, more transparent credit assessments for African economies.

    “An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” the President said.

    President Tinubu commended the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their visionary leadership in advancing an African framework for financing development among member states.

    He noted that the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) is crucial as the continent continues to face significant challenges, including rising borrowing costs, debt overhang, low domestic resource mobilisation, and limited access to long-term affordable financing.

    “The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states in addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent.

    “This mechanism is envisioned to support member states in achieving their national development objectives, and it will also help create economic opportunities for citizens,” he said.

    The Nigerian leader acknowledged the significant progress made at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, held in November 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, which reached key decisions.

    “The adoption of the AFSM by member states is expected to enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he said.

  • Tinubu off to France ahead AU Summit in Ethiopia

    Tinubu off to France ahead AU Summit in Ethiopia

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for a private visit to Paris, France ahead of the upcoming African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    The President’s trip will see him engage in high-level discussions with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron before proceeding to Ethiopia for the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12 to 16, 2025.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa early next week.

    When he arrives the Ethiopian capital, he will join other African leaders in deliberating on key continental issues, including economic development, security, and regional cooperation.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for Paris, France, on a private visit en route to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Tinubu opens JTF Commanders Conference 2025

    “In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will join African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12th to 16th, 2025. 

    “The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the African Union summit.

    “While in France, President Tinubu will meet with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron,” the statement reads.

  • Buhari to attend AU Summit in Mauritania

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday will embark on an official visit to Nouakchott, Mauritania to attend the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government from June 30 to July 2, 2018.

    In his capacity as the leader of the AU theme of the year: “Winning the Fight against Corruption, A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”, the President will make introductory remarks and presentation on the theme.

    On the margins of the AU Summit, President Buhari and other African leaders will take part in an interactive session with President Emmanuel Macron of France on Financing AU-led Peace Support Operations authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

    Read Also: Buhari greets Captain Joseph at 81

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that dominant issues affecting the continent such as peace and security, HIV/AIDS, regional cooperation, climate change will engage the attention of the African leaders during the Summit.

    The Nigerian leader will also hold series of high-level bilateral sessions on issues of shared common interests to the country, Africa and the world.

    Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, his counterpart in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and other top government officials will be on the President’s entourage.

  • Buhari meets Obasanjo at AU summit

    Buhari meets Obasanjo at AU summit

    Few days after giving a damning verdict on the Muhammadu Buhari administration in a “special statement”, former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday met with President Buhari in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

    It was at the African Union (AU) headquarters shortly before the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

    Obasanjo, a wry smile on his firm lips and his face betraying some warmth, grips Buhari by the hand. He is sprightly and stylish in a blue embroidered agbada and a blue cap with white stripes.

    Buhari is smiling broadly, his mood apparently no expression of any animosity against Obasanjo over his controversial “open statement”.

    There were no discussions; just an exchange of pleasantries and cracking of jokes as the two leaders were joined by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, according to their aides at the scene.

    Gen. Abubakar  handed over power to Obasanjo in 1999.

    Obasanjo accused the Buhari’s administration of nepotism and failure to revive the economy, among others. He “advised” the president not to seek reelection. Besides, Obasanjo wrote off both All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and offered to be in the vanguard of a movement to save Nigeria.

    The Presidency however said the former President might have been too busy to notice the government’s achievements, which it itemized, in a response by Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    The meeting between Buhari and Obasanjo was short – not more than two minutes.

    When Obasanjo entered the expansive hall, he went round to exchange pleasantries with some other African leaders attending the summit, before looking out for Buhari, who he approached.

    When the Summit opened, President Buhari told his fellow heads of state that the war against corruption had come to stay in Nigeria.

    Speaking on the theme of the summit, “Winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path to African transformation.”

    Buhari said that Nigeria remained committed to fighting corruption “today,  tomorrow  and  the day after tomorrow”.

    He said his administration had gone far in its change agenda of which the fight against corruption is an important part.

    He stressed the need for strong institutions a necessary condition for winning the fight against corruption.

    To win the war, he said, African leaders must empower anti-corruption agencies and insulate them from political influence.

    Buhari cited a report that the continent lost $50 billion annually to illicit flow of capital.

    The manifestation of corruption in Africa, he said, is a demonstration of the need for strong leadership.

    He called on African nations to build synergy among the executive, judiciary and legislature to entrench good governance.

    He said that Africans, especially leaders, must have a change of mindset by prioritising accountability and transparency to succeed in the fight against corruption.

    He, however, noted that fighting corruption is not going to be a straight forward task as corruption will always fight back.

    Irrespective of any setback faced in the fight against corruption, Buhari said,  African leaders must remain resolute.

    He recommended, among other things, that an African youth congress against corruption be organised and criminal justice system be strengthened to win the anti-graft war.

    Also at the Summit, the AU and United Nations (UN)  signed a Framework Agreement for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 for Sustainable Development.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres said after signing the agreement that strong cooperation with the AU was essential for the UN to be able to fulfill its mandate.

    The UN chief said the new agreements would help bolster the collaboration between the two organisations on a range of global issues.

    “For the United Nations, the most important partnership is the partnership with the African Union,” Guterres said, alongside Moussa Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission.

    Guterres said across the three main pillars of the United Nations – development, peace and security, and human rights – the African continent was key to solving global problems.

    “The international community would not be able to have successes in development if Africa does not succeed in its development taking advantage of its youth ‘dividend’,” he said.

    He added that neither would the global community secure lasting peace and security if Africa is not able to manage not only its conflicts, but above all, to make strong effort at conflict prevention and resolution.

    “We will be side by side with the African Union in respecting African leadership in solving African problems to help in this regard,” he said, noting that Africa has also made admirable strides in human rights.

    “Today, we talk a lot about immigration. I have always seen African countries open their doors to refugees and migration,” the UN chief said, adding that this is a lesson other parts of the world could learn from.

    The agreement followed the signing at UN Headquarters in April 2017 of a landmark framework to strengthen partnership between the UN and the AU on peace and security, to help the two organisations better respond to the evolving challenges of peace operations.

    He noted that agriculture and livestock productivity on the continent were under threat and hunger rates continue to increase, and cited the close links among hunger, food insecurity and poverty.

    He flagged that the majority of undernourished people in Africa lived in conflict-affected countries, where hunger was almost twice as high when the crisis was protracted.

    He advocated for stronger commitment by governments, the AU and the UN to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development.

    “To build and sustain peace and address hunger and poverty, we need community-based approaches that build social cohesion and the capacity of local institutions and actors.

    “Improved governance that can deliver equitable services is essential,” he asserted.

  • Buhari discusses peace, security matters at AU Summit

    Buhari discusses peace, security matters at AU Summit

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday launched into a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 14 other members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), a standing organ of the Africa Union (AU) for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

    The meeting came ahead of today’s formal opening of the 30th AU Summit.

    The PSC deliberation, according to the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, focused on the persistence of violent conflicts and crisis situations in parts of the continent, upsurge of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, climate change and its consequences as well as the issue of the derailment of national development programmes.

    Of particular interest were the situations in Somalia, South Sudan, Libya, Guinea Bissau, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Also top of the agenda of the meeting were the situation in the Lake Chad Basin, the regional efforts to combat Boko Haram as well as the situation in Mali and the Sahel region, which continues to be a source of deep concern despite efforts by the countries of the region and the United Nations.

    Shehu said: “the PSC’s major duty is to “conduct early warning and preventive diplomacy, facilitate peace-making, establish peace-support operations and, in certain circumstances, recommend intervention in Member States to promote peace, security and stability.”

  • Buhari to attend AU Summit in Addis Ababa

    Buhari to attend AU Summit in Addis Ababa

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to leave the country for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

    A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the highlight of Buhari’s engagements during the visit would be his statement under the historic theme for the AU Summit namely: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”

    The statement said: “This is the first time in the 54-year history of the AU that anti-corruption will be made a theme of the gathering of the regional leaders.

    “It would be recalled that on July 4, 2017 during the 29th Session of the AU, African leaders unanimously endorsed President Buhari to champion the fight against corruption on the continent. The endorsement was in recognition of his personal commitment and widely acclaimed anti-graft drive at the domestic level.

    “On July 25, 2017, the President in a letter to President Alpha Conde of Guinea, who is also the outgoing AU Chairperson, formally accepted his nomination to lead members of the AU on this crucial crusade against a veritable socio-economic vice that is anti-development.

    “While thanking his colleagues for the honour, he reiterated his “commitment to contribute towards our collective efforts to strengthen good governance and development on the continent.

    “Apart from anti-corruption, other issues lined for consideration by African leaders and their delegations include, peace and security (transnational terrorism), institutional reforms of the continental body, free movement of persons, climate change, trade, aviation, education, gender and development.”

    President Buhari, according to the statement, will also hold bilateral meetings with some of his colleagues on issues of common interests.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau; the Minister of State (Aviation), Hadi Sirika; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu; are in the President’s delegation to the Summit.

     

  • Osinbajo to lead Nigeria’s delegation to AU summit

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, on Monday said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 27th Ordinary Session of the African Union starting on July 18 in Kigali, Rwanda.

    He said the occasion would afford Nigeria the opportunity to showcase the successes recorded by the current administration.

    The minister said the summit would also provide opportunity for critical appraisal of the 20 billion dollar Nigeria-Algeria trans-Saharan gas pipeline project under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when completed, the trans-saharan project would transport about 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Warri through Niger Republic to Algeria.

    The pipeline would be operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Sonatrach of Algeria.

    Both parties will hold 90 per cent equity shares of the project, while the National Oil Company of Niger Republic will hold 10 per cent equity.

     

  • Buhari to attend AU summit in S/Africa

    Buhari to attend AU summit in S/Africa

    President Muhammadu Buhari is set to depart Abuja for South Africa on Saturday, June 13, to attend the 25th African Union Summit in Johannesburg.

    A statement by Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, said President Buhari is scheduled to undertake his first continental assignment since taking office by chairing a meeting of the Peace and Security Committee of the African Union during the summit.

    The President is also expected to hold bilateral talks with other African leaders on the sidelines of the summit to consolidate his ongoing drive to secure Nigeria and neighbouring countries from Boko Haram.

    President Buhari is due back in Abuja on Tuesday at the conclusion of the summit which will focus mainly on continental peace and security.

  • Jonathan seeks action against Boko Haram, others

    Jonathan seeks action against Boko Haram, others

    To end the rampant killings of innocent people in the continent, President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday charged African leaders to take “action- oriented approach” against the activities of terrorists on the continent.

    He gave the charge while speaking at the 455th African Union Peace and Security Council meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi, Kenya.

    Stressing that the AU has what it takes in terms of legal, political and normative instruments to deal with the rising sophistication of terrorists, he said the task ahead was to ensure the effective use of the instruments.

    He regretted the increasing wave of violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, Al Shabbab and Lord Resistance Army (LRA) on the continent.

    Jonathan, who read the speech of African Union Chairman, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, at the occasion, also called on African countries to fulfill earlier commitments with respect to legal measures, border control and exchange of intelligence.

    He said: “While both member states and the Commission deserve to be commended for their commitment and efforts, nonetheless, much remains to be done. The atrocities that continue to be committed by the terrorist groups active in the Sahel- Saharan region, Boko Haram, the LRA, Al- Shabaab and other terrorist groups, bear testimony to the long road ahead of us.

    “The first (solution) relates to the need for enhanced cooperation among member states and between the continent and the rest of the international community.

    “Indeed the problem we are confronting is global in nature. Terrorists and organized crime syndicates operate in networks that can only be defeated through concerted action and cooperation.

    “The African Union and its various instruments and mechanisms provide the framework within which we should combine our efforts and pull together our scarce resources.

    “The second point pertains to the need for action- oriented approach. We are now well equipped in terms of legal, political and normative instruments. The tasks ahead of us will be to ensure their effective implementation.

    “The countries concerned should take the steps required to become parties to the relevant African and international instruments. We should as member states fulfill our commitments and obligations, particularly with respect to legal measures, border control, exchange of intelligence and other related measures.”

     

  • MDGs agenda must reflect wishes of developing nations – Jonathan

    MDGs agenda must reflect wishes of developing nations – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in Addis Ababa said the post-2015 United Natons anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agenda must reflect the wishes of developing nations.
    Jonathan made the declaration in a meeting on post 2015 Development Agenda at the 22nd Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU).
    He noted that African leaders had voiced the need to ensure that the unfinished business of the MDGs was carried into the MDGs successor agenda.
    “There is need for us to remain focused and vigilant to ensure that decisions on what forms the new framework is all inclusive, reflecting the wishes of developing countries’’ he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Jonathan affirmed Africa common position on the post-2015 Development Agenda as set out in the AU policy document of March 2013.
    According to him, the AU document promotes universal and equitable access to quality health care, gender equality, education and human capital development, disaster risk reduction, poverty eradication, shelter provision and water resources management.
    The president said the document also endorsed the harnessing of the potential of Africa’s growing population demographics.
    The Nigerian leader told the meeting chaired by Liberia President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, that Nigeria had recorded strides toward some of the eight MDGs, especially poverty reduction, education and maternal health.
    “The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2013 acknowledged that Nigeria has halved the proportion of those who suffer from hunger way ahead of the 2015 deadline.
    “The net attendance levels for basic schooling have risen remarkably in the country. Gender parity targets at primary and secondary education levels have been achieved.
    “The under-five mortality and maternal health have equally seen reversal of the previously negative trend. There is continual fall in the HIV prevalence of the country.
    “Government in collaboration with stakeholders is mobilising the necessary attention needed to focus on goals lagging behind,’’ he said.