Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its engagement within the African Union (AU) following a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
The meeting took place in Addis Ababa on Monday ahead of the 49th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.
In a post on her official social media page, Ojukwu said the discussions focused on Nigeria’s role within the AU, the appointment of Nigerians into the continental body’s institutions, regional political developments and Africa’s socio-economic future.
“Today, 27th July 2026, I held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, ahead of the Forty-Ninth (49th) Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.”
She added: “We discussed issues relating to Nigeria’s role within the African Union, the appointment of Nigerians into the AU system, regional political developments, and Africa’s socio-economic future.”
According to the minister, both leaders also reviewed the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, exchanging views on the peace, security and humanitarian challenges facing the region.
“We discussed the evolving situation in West Africa & the Sahel, and exchanged perspectives on the prevailing peace, security & humanitarian challenges.”
Ojukwu disclosed that the AUC Chairperson praised Nigeria’s enduring leadership within the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in combating terrorism and promoting regional peace and integration.
“The Chairperson commended Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role within both the AU & ECOWAS, in the fight against terrorism and its pivotal role in promoting regional peace, stability & integration.”
She further noted that Youssouf highlighted the need for Africa to address demographic and economic challenges through innovation, employment generation and greater investment in emerging technologies.
“H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has brought renewed dynamism and a humane approach to the leadership of the AUC, candidly noting that Africa faces significant demographic and economic pressures and stressed the importance of innovation, job creation, agriculture, services, and investment in artificial intelligence as essential drivers of sustainable development.”
On industrialisation, Ojukwu said the AUC Chairperson stressed that Africa must increase investment in artificial intelligence while acknowledging the contribution of indigenous businesses to the continent’s economic transformation.
“H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf observed that Africa has not invested sufficiently in artificial intelligence and commended the investments of the Dangote Group across the continent as an example of African-led industrial development advancing regional integration, strengthening industrialisation and self-reliance in strategic sectors, and creating employment opportunities across the continent.”
The bilateral meeting forms part of activities leading to the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, where African foreign ministers are expected to deliberate on key issues affecting peace, governance, regional integration and sustainable development across the continent.
