Nigeria has secured a permanent seat on the Board of the proposed African Central Bank, following deliberations at the just-concluded 39th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.
The decision, announced in a press statement issued on February 13, 2026, by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, marks a significant diplomatic milestone for the country.
The agreement by the Executive Council underscores Nigeria’s strategic influence in shaping Africa’s evolving financial and monetary architecture.
According to the statement, the development also extends Nigeria’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, the body serving as a precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank.
The move is seen as a recognition of Nigeria’s technical capacity, economic weight, and longstanding commitment to Africa’s monetary integration agenda under the framework of the African Union.
Beyond monetary affairs, Nigeria recorded gains in the area of peace and security.
The session witnessed the successful election of candidates collectively endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.
The outcome reflects what the statement described as strong cohesion and cooperation among ECOWAS member states, as well as their shared resolve to promote stability and collective security across the continent.
Nigeria also demonstrated leadership in advancing democratic governance by organising a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy on the margins of the session.
The event attracted ministers, senior officials and delegates from across Africa and the wider international community, fostering dialogue on strengthening democratic institutions, inclusive governance and collaborative regional approaches to sustaining democratic values.
The 39th Executive Council Session reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives of the African Union, particularly in promoting economic integration, institutional development, peace, security and democratic governance across the continent.
The Federal Government reiterated its dedication to working closely with member states and regional bodies to advance Africa’s shared prosperity and sustainable development.
