Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peace, security, democratic governance and regional integration across Africa as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, hosted a high-level delegation of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Abuja.
The delegation was led by the Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council for June 2026 and Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Nasir Aminu, alongside the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, following the Third Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council held in the nation's capital.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Ambassador Enikanolaiye thanked the delegation for its goodwill message on his appointment and reiterated Nigeria's unwavering support for the African Union's vision of peace, democracy, good governance and continental integration.
The minister described the AU Peace and Security Council as a critical institution for conflict prevention, peacebuilding and political stability across Africa, stressing that Nigeria remains fully committed to supporting its mandate.
He also lauded the growing partnership between the AU Peace and Security Council and ECOWAS, noting that sustained consultations between the two institutions have enhanced coordination in responding to emerging security threats across the continent.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would continue to strengthen its engagement with the African Union through its Mission in Addis Ababa while supporting closer cooperation between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms.
Highlighting the continent's security challenges, the minister identified terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, unconstitutional changes of government and humanitarian crises as major threats requiring stronger collective action by African institutions.
He called for deeper cooperation among member states, stronger governance structures and more effective conflict prevention and peacebuilding mechanisms to address the evolving security landscape.
The minister also condemned the recent xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa, particularly Nigerians, describing them as inconsistent with the principles of African unity and integration.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the evacuation of affected Nigerians through government-funded repatriation flights to ensure their safe return home.
According to him, the African Union should give greater attention to the issue as part of its peace and security agenda, while member states should work towards guaranteeing the safety and dignity of Africans anywhere on the continent.
Enikanolaiye further advocated accelerated implementation of the African Union's free movement agenda and urged governments to tackle migration challenges through inclusive governance, economic empowerment and expanded opportunities for citizens.
On peace financing, he reiterated Nigeria's position that Africa must reduce its dependence on external donors by developing sustainable and predictable funding mechanisms for peace support operations.
He cited the ECOWAS Community Levy as a successful model of regional financing that could be replicated at the continental level to strengthen the African Union's peace and security architecture.
The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria's support for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023), which provides a framework for financing African Union-led peace support operations, while calling on African countries to increase their financial commitments to continental peace initiatives.
Earlier, Ambassador Nasir Aminu briefed the minister on the outcome of the consultative meeting, saying delegates reviewed emerging security threats, evaluated ongoing peace efforts and discussed measures to improve collaboration between the African Union and ECOWAS.
He added that participants also examined sustainable financing models for African peace operations and strategies for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2719.
In his remarks, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, commended Nigeria for its longstanding leadership in advancing peace, security and regional integration in Africa.
He reaffirmed the African Union Commission's commitment to working closely with member states, ECOWAS and other regional bodies to address the continent's security challenges.
Adeoye also stressed the need for stronger domestic financing of peace operations, improved institutional coordination and greater political commitment by African governments to achieve lasting peace.
He praised Nigeria's continued support for the African Union's conflict prevention initiatives, democratic governance programmes and the implementation of the AU's Silencing the Guns agenda.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the African Union, ECOWAS and member states to promote peace, security, democratic governance and sustainable development across the continent through sustained dialogue and coordinated action.