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By Fortune Abang
The 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) began on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, with high-level ministerial deliberations scheduled to hold ahead of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
Nigeria is being represented at the executive session by Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, according to a statement by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the foreign affairs ministry.
Ebienfa said the two ministers would participate in a series of ministerial meetings, high-level dialogues, and other side events, including bilateral engagements, in line with Nigeria’s commitment to advancing African unity, peace, security, democratic governance, and sustainable development on the continent.
He said Tuggar, who led the foreign affairs ministry’s delegation to Addis Ababa on Feb. 9, was warmly received by Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Berhanu Tsegaye, and the Charge d’Afaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in Ethiopia, Amb. Nasir Aminu, among other staff of the mission.
The statement indicated that Tuggar will also participate in the Session of the Executive Council of AU, scheduled to be held from Feb. 11 to 12, 2026, at the AU headquarters.
Ebienfa explained that Nigeria’s engagement at the summit will focus on key continental priorities, including peace, security, and democratic governance.
According to the statement, the ministers are convening for the session to advance discussions on continental priorities and implementation of Agenda 2063, setting the policy framework to guide decisions by the assembly.
Other ministerial deliberations would include institutional resilience, economic integration, development financing, health, security, climate resilience, and the implementation of Agenda 2063.
According to him, Tuggar will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from various African and non-African countries on the margins of the summit, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and advancing shared strategic interests.
“Nigeria will host and participate in selected high-level side events during the session, including a Nigerian-led side event on regional partnerships for democracy.
“This will reflect the country’s longstanding commitment to democratic norms, public trust, and institutional strengthening across Africa.
“The ministry will also provide updates on key outcomes and engagements as the engagement progresses,” Ebienfa said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the highest decision-making body of the continental union, will hold from Feb. 14 to 15, 2026.
The Assembly session is expected to be led by its chairperson, Mr João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Emmanuel Yashim
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