Nigeria has endorsed sweeping institutional reforms proposed by the African Union, with President Bola Tinubu assuring the regional bloc of the country’s commitment to their implementation.
According to a State House press release issued on 15 February 2026, Nigeria threw its weight behind reforms focused on peace and security governance, strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing cooperation with international financial institutions and the private sector.
The endorsement was conveyed at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Vice President Kashim Shettima represented the President at a closed session of the summit.
Presenting Nigeria’s position after the report on thematic agenda items was delivered, the Vice President pledged the nation’s support for proposed restructurings aimed at boosting domestic and regional resource mobilisation for affordable development financing, as well as adopting a continental framework to reduce inequality built on credible data, social protection, productive jobs and inclusive industrial policies.
On peace and security, Senator Shettima commended the AU Peace and Security Council for endorsing the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea as a standby force capable of providing rapid and coordinated maritime security responses across the region.
He pledged Nigeria’s commitment to implementing its obligations under the agreement establishing the force and strengthening the African Union Standby Force.
“The proliferation of small arms and light weapons remain the greatest causes of armed conflict and violent extremism in our region. This is why our union must refocus its attention on curbing these trends,” he said.
“As the host of the headquarters of this taskforce, Nigeria will provide the necessary infrastructure including office facilities, ships, helicopters as well as temporary staff to ensure that the force remains effective. We remain committed to the full implementation of our own part of the agreement.”
On the review of criteria for membership of the Peace and Security Council, the Vice President stated that Nigeria associates “with the innovative proposal for the inclusion of a clause in relation to criteria for membership of the Peace and Security Council.
“As envisaged in Article 5 of the protocol establishing the Peace and Security Council, we also support the inclusion of modalities for cooperation between the African Union and its regional economic commissions and regional mechanism.
“It is our view that this is necessary to ensure predictability and effectiveness in our peace and security governance. We also agree on the imperative to strengthen coordination between the peace and the security council and the C 10 committee Committee of 10 Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council, particularly at the ambassadorial level,” he added.
On democracy, the Vice President announced Nigeria’s backing for reforms to strengthen democratic institutions across the continent, commending “AU’s efforts to address unconstitutional change of government and wish to underscore the imperative for good governance”.
He also confirmed President Tinubu’s endorsement of the AU’s decision to lift the suspension of Gabon and Guinea.
“Nigeria welcomes Gabon and Guinea back to our union after the completion of their political transitions. We call on other countries with protracted political transitions to follow the approach to return to the fold,” he declared.
Addressing critical minerals and the industrial value chain, Senator Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s stance that “Africa’s mineral resources are strategic assets that should drive industrialization and structural transformation,” stressing the importance of coordinated continental strategies to ensure mineral extraction supports local processing, manufacturing and technology development.
He further stated that “Nigeria welcomes the G20 Ubuntu approaches on food security and supports responsible private sector participation across agricultural value chains.
“Nigeria calls for greater investment in storage, logistics, research, climate resilience agriculture and support for smallholder farmers, particularly women and the youth as well as reaffirms its commitment towards advancing Africa’s food systems transformation.”
The State House said various heads of delegation from AU member states also made interventions on the report covering reforms in peace and security, integration and sustainable development, and Africa’s voice.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
