Kehinde Fajobi
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday night to participate in the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
He was welcomed at the airport by Ethiopia’s Deputy Chief of Protocol, Eshetu Legesse; Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar; and the country’s charge d’affaires in Ethiopia, Nasir Aminu.
Following his arrival, Tuggar provided Tinubu with an extensive briefing on Nigeria’s diplomatic achievements at the summit, a discussion that continued until around 2 a.m. on Friday, according to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
One of Nigeria’s key victories at the summit was the successful re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
Additionally, the country retained its seat on the AU Peace and Security Council, reinforcing its influence in continental security matters.
Tuggar described this as “Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to peace and security on the continent.”
The late-night session was attended by several top government officials, including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, Trade and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and Information Minister Muhammed Idris.
Also present were Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite, National Intelligence Agency Director-General Mohammed Mohammed, and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
This year’s AU summit is themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” and aims to address reparatory justice and racial equity.
Tinubu is scheduled to speak at a high-level meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, where discussions will centre on pressing security concerns, including the worsening crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Beyond security, the Nigerian leader will engage in talks on health financing, the creation of an Africa Credit Rating Agency, and climate change initiatives.
The AU noted that the theme of the summit was set during the 37th Ordinary Session in February 2023, underscoring the urgent need for global dialogue on reparations and justice for people of African descent.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Monday.