*Photo L-R: Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of AU*
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Monday, 27 July 2026, held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during which both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the African Union, advancing institutional reforms, promoting regional peace and stability, and accelerating Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
The Minister commended the Chairperson for the positive strides recorded under his leadership of the African Union Commission and expressed appreciation for the Commission’s continued efforts to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the institution. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to supporting the work of the Commission in advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the continent’s collective aspirations.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu appreciated the Commission’s earlier decision regarding Nigeria’s permanent membership of the African Monetary Institute (AMI) mechanism and requested the issuance of the necessary corrigendum to formally reflect the decision adopted by the Assembly and Executive Council.
The Minister also expressed appreciation for the appointment of qualified Nigerians into the African Union system.
In his response, the Chairperson assured the Minister that the issues raised would be examined in accordance with the African Union’s established recruitment procedures and quota system. He further assured Nigeria of the Commission’s commitment to increasing the number of qualified Nigerians serving within the African Union.
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role and substantial financial contributions to the African Union, describing Nigeria as a Tier One Member State whose commitment remains indispensable to the success of the continental organisation.