President Bola Tinubu has called on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize the establishment of a combined maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea. Delivering the call at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos.
In his statement, which was delivered by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, President Tinubu underscored the significance of maritime security in the region, urging the AUPSC to act swiftly to address the growing threats. He also highlighted Nigeria’s commitment by signing an agreement with the AU to provide strategic sea lift services for peace support operations, humanitarian actions, and disaster relief efforts.
The Nigerian government demonstrated further commitment by agreeing to provide the Nigerian Navy’s vessel on a cost-recovery basis for AU peace support missions. This agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar, and witnessed by top officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Naval Chief.
Tinubu also voiced Nigeria’s satisfaction with the AUPSC’s adoption of key decisions, including the upgrade of the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre and the renewal of the Multinational Joint Task Force’s mandate to combat terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
Addressing ongoing insecurity in the Sahel, especially stemming from instability in Libya, Tinubu urged the AU Assembly to take concrete steps to restore law and order in the North African country, warning that the Sahel region cannot enjoy peace without stability in Libya.
He also expressed concerns about the growing presence of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, in Africa’s security matters, calling for stronger AU initiatives to counteract this trend.
President Tinubu further supported the establishment of an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), emphasizing that it would offer fairer and more transparent credit assessments for African economies. He explained that ACRA would help reduce the bias often present in global rating agencies and contribute to economic resilience on the continent.
Tinubu also highlighted the importance of the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM), which aims to address the continent’s financial vulnerabilities, including high borrowing costs, debt burdens, and limited access to long-term financing. He lauded the progress made during the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, which convened in Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2025.
By championing both security and financial stability, President Tinubu’s statements at the AU Assembly reflect Nigeria’s ongoing leadership role in driving positive change and cooperation across Africa.
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