Nigeria has made full payment of its annual contribution to the African Union (AU) for the year 2023.
Adamu Lamuwa, permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, announced the development while speaking on the sidelines of the 43rd ordinary session of the executive council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya.
TheCable reported that President Bola Tinubu will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday to participate in the fifth mid-year coordination meeting (5thMYCM) of the AU, the regional economic communities (RECs), the regional mechanisms (RMs), and the AU member states.
Lamuwa said the payment of the 2023 dues demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.
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The permanent secretary commended Tinubu for being a president who emphasises prompt payment of financial assessments.
Lamuwa, during the executive council meeting of member-states, welcomed the consideration outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.
He also shared Nigeria’s stance on the proposed 2024 budget of the AU.
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“Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication,” Lamuwa said.
“Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfil their financial obligations.”
In addition, he called for synergy among AU organs and departments and also requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
The permanent secretary said the ministerial-level meeting, preceding the heads of state’s participation, adopted education as the theme for the AU in 2024.
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Lamuwa said the theme aligns with Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area domestically, adding that this makes his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial.
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