The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its unwavering commitment to continental peace, security, and Pan-African solidarity. This declaration was made during a high-level diplomatic meeting in Abuja, where Nigeria also strongly condemned recent xenophobic violence targeting its citizens abroad.
The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, hosted a high-level delegation from the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House. The PSC Chairperson jointly led the delegation for June 2026, H.E. Ambassador Nasir Aminu, and the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye.
The strategic engagement followed the conclusion of the Third Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in the nation’s capital.
Condemning Xenophobia and Enforcing Evacuations
Addressing critical humanitarian and security issues, Ambassador Enikanolaiye expressed the Federal Government’s deep concern over the recent xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa, pointing out that Nigerians were heavily targeted. He described the targeted violence as entirely unacceptable and a direct violation of the foundational ideals of African unity and regional integration.
The Minister disclosed that decisive operational measures have already been deployed to protect affected citizens under direct presidential oversight.
“Under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Federal Government had undertaken the evacuation of affected Nigerian nationals from South Africa through government-funded repatriation flights to ensure their safe return home,” Ambassador Enikanolaiye stated.
He emphasized that Africans must feel safe anywhere on the continent and formally urged the African Union to place the issue permanently on its primary peace and security agenda. He further advocated for expanded economic opportunities and inclusive governance to systematically address migration challenges.
Addressing Africa’s Evolving Security Threats
During the bilateral talks, the Minister of State described the AU Peace and Security Council as one of the continent’s most vital institutions for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and political governance. He noted that Nigeria continues to attach the highest priority to the Council’s institutional mandate.
The Minister warned that Africa is currently grappling with increasingly complex, asymmetric threats. He specifically pointed to terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, unconstitutional changes of government, and compounding humanitarian crises as issues requiring deeper institutional cooperation.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye highly commended the growing collaboration between the AU Peace and Security Council and ECOWAS. He noted that regular consultative frameworks have effectively strengthened coordination between continental and regional mechanisms to counter these evolving threats.
Financing Continental Peace Operations
A major focal point of the diplomatic session was the structural financing of African peace support operations. Ambassador Enikanolaiye reiterated Nigeria’s long-standing position that the continent must transition away from external financial dependency to secure true ownership of its security architecture.
“Excessive dependence on external funding undermines African ownership of peace support operations,” the Minister cautioned, calling for the robust implementation of African-led financing initiatives.
To resolve this, the Minister highlighted the ECOWAS Community Levy as a highly successful, self-sustaining regional financing model. He suggested that similar mechanisms could be adapted at the continental level to enhance the operational independence of the AU Peace and Security Council.
Furthermore, Nigeria reaffirmed its full support for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023), which provides a framework for financing AU-led peace operations, while reminding Member States of their obligation to increase domestic financial contributions.
AU Applauds Nigeria’s Regional Leadership
Earlier in the briefing, the Chairperson of the PSC, Ambassador Nasir Aminu, explained that the joint AU-ECOWAS delegation had successfully reviewed emerging security threats and explored practical steps to deepen institutional cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission, Commissioner Bankole Adeoye praised Nigeria’s historic and consistent leadership in driving peace, democratic governance, and regional integration across the continent.
Ambassador Adeoye reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to working closely with Nigeria, ECOWAS, and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs). He echoed the call for enhanced domestic financing and stronger political commitment from Member States to achieve the targets of the AU Agenda on Silencing the Guns.
The high-level meeting concluded with both parties endorsing a shared commitment to sustain regular, strategic consultations, ensuring a unified and collective response to the emerging security and geopolitical challenges confronting Africa.
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