ABUJA, Nigeria— Nigeria has called for stronger coordination between the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to confront escalating security threats across the continent, including terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes of government.
The call was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, during a meeting with a high-level delegation of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Abuja, according to a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Africa continues to face increasingly complex threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and unconstitutional changes of government,” Enikanolaiye said, stressing the need for deeper institutional cooperation and stronger governance frameworks to ensure effective conflict prevention and sustainable peacebuilding.
The AU delegation was led by Ambassador Nasir Aminu, Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council for June 2026, alongside the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, following the Third Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the AU PSC and ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council held in Abuja.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the African Union’s objectives, the minister described the AU Peace and Security Council as a critical institution for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and political governance, noting that Nigeria places high priority on its work.
Enikanolaiye also raised concerns over recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, particularly targeting Nigerians, describing the incidents as “unacceptable” and contrary to the ideals of African unity and integration. He disclosed that, on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government had evacuated affected Nigerians through government-funded repatriation flights.
“Africans must feel safe anywhere on the continent,” he said, urging the AU to prioritise the issue within its peace and security agenda.
On peace operations, the minister reiterated Nigeria’s position on the need for sustainable and predictable financing, warning that reliance on external funding undermines African ownership. He pointed to ECOWAS’ Community Levy as a viable model for regional funding that could be adapted at the continental level.
Earlier, Ambassador Nasir Aminu said the AU-ECOWAS consultative meeting reviewed emerging threats, ongoing peace initiatives, and measures to strengthen coordination between continental and regional institutions, including discussions on financing mechanisms in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023).
In his remarks, AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting peace, stability, and regional integration across Africa, while emphasising the need for stronger domestic financing, institutional coordination, and political commitment by member states.
Both sides agreed to sustain regular consultations and deepen collaboration between the African Union, ECOWAS, and member states to strengthen collective responses to Africa’s evolving security challenges and advance peace, democratic governance, and sustainable development across the continent.
