Nigeria has secured a permanent seat on the board of the future African Central Bank during the 39th session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), a decision that reinforces its positioning at the heart of the continent’s monetary integration project.
According to a statement released on Friday, February 13 by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Executive Council also endorsed the extension of the country’s representation within the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, the body responsible for preparing the establishment of the African Central Bank.
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar described this decision as a “major diplomatic milestone,” stating that it solidifies Nigeria’s role in building African financial architecture.
The African Central Bank is among the financial institutions planned by the AU as part of its economic integration agenda, alongside the African Monetary Institute, which aims to promote macroeconomic convergence among member states towards a possible monetary union. The project, which has been discussed for several years, is not yet operational.
As the continent’s largest economy in terms of GDP, Nigeria seeks to strengthen its influence within pan-African financial mechanisms, at a time when monetary integration initiatives are progressing gradually.
On the political front, the session also saw the election of candidates supported by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the AU Peace and Security Council, demonstrating regional coordination on stability issues.
Nigerian authorities believe that these results confirm the country’s commitment to the AU’s goals, including economic integration, peace, and democratic governance on the continent.
