Nigeria has secured a major strategic gain at the 39th African Union Summit after clinching a permanent seat on the board of the African Central Bank.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed the development on Friday, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria and the West African region.
According to him, Nigeria has also been granted hosting rights for the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank.
“Importantly, Nigeria has been given the hosting of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank. Not only that, in today’s plenary, Nigeria was confirmed a seat on the board of the African Central Bank. This is huge,” he said.
Tuggar described the development as a diplomatic breakthrough, noting that the move had initially faced resistance from some member states.
“It is something that was initially resisted by some countries, so now we have a permanent seat on the African Central Bank board. It’s a major success,” he added.
This year’s summit is themed: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Deliberations are focused on advancing continental commitments to sustainable water management and improved sanitation, key pillars for health, agricultural productivity and broader development goals under the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Beyond financial governance, Nigeria and the West African bloc also recorded progress in elections to the African Union Peace and Security Council, the continental body responsible for conflict and security matters.
Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and the Republic of Benin were elected to the council, with Benin securing a fresh term while the other two countries were re-elected.
The Peace and Security Council also deliberated on the situations in Sudan and Somalia, with Nigeria voicing reservations over Sudan’s potential readmission into the AU.
“We reminded the Peace and Security Council that we have to abide by the rules and regulations of the African Union. If there has been an unconstitutional change of government, then the country should not be allowed to participate, and that was carried,” Tuggar said.
Looking ahead, the summit outlined water sustainability as its 2026 theme. Tuggar underscored Nigeria’s strategic and demographic importance in advancing the agenda, noting the country’s geographical identity at the confluence of the River Niger and River Benue.
He added that Nigeria’s growing population places it in a pivotal position to implement programmes aligned with the theme.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s delegation was further strengthened by the arrival of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is expected to participate in high-level plenary sessions.
