The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa said Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU), by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023.
He confirm this on Saturday,reteirating the information in a statement issued by the State House Director of Information Abiodun Oladunjoye, explained that the payment demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.
He commended the president for keeping up the standard, only as the chairperson of ECOWAS but also as a President who emphasises prompt payment of assessments.
During the Executive Council meeting, Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary presented the country’s position regarding the proposed 2024 budget of the African Union.
He expressed appreciation for the inclusion of the economic outlook of African nations and the performance evaluation of AU departments and organs over the previous three years in the process of drafting the 2024 budget.
‘‘Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of synergy and complementarity among AU organs and departments, and urged the AU Commission (AUC), to reduce travel expenses by hosting a greater number of meetings at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He also stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.
Ambassador Lamuwa also highlighted that the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State’s participation adopted the theme of Education for the AU in 2024.
He noted that this aligns well with President Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area domestically, making his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial.
