Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that this development was disclosed by Adamu Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the 43rd Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Commending President Bola Tinubu for his exceptional leadership, Lamuwa lauded Tinubu’s prompt payment of financial assessments, which further strengthens his position not only as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) but also as a President who upholds his responsibilities dutifully.
At the Executive Council meeting, Lamuwa presented Nigeria’s stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU. He expressed support for the inclusion of the economic outlook of African countries and the performance evaluation of AU departments and organs over the past three years in the budget drafting process.
Emphasising the importance of an austerity-driven budget with tangible outcomes and no redundancy, Lamuwa stressed the significance of accountability and prudent resource management. He urged other member countries to fulfil their financial obligations, encouraging transparency and responsibility.
Lamuwa called for enhanced cooperation and synergy among AU organs and departments, proposing that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, he underscored the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability within the organisation.
President Tinubu is set to participate in the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Nairobi on Sunday, where discussions on various crucial matters will take place. The meeting aims to address pressing issues and foster cooperation among AU member-states.
Lamuwa also highlighted that during the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State’s participation, the theme of Education for the AU in 2024 was adopted. The Permanent Secretary said the theme aligns perfectly with President Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area within Nigeria and ECOWAS.
As one of the primary financial contributors to the AU, Nigeria, along with four other member-states, plays a vital role in funding the organisation’s operations. The AU’s budget for 2023, totalling $654.8 million, relies heavily on annual statutory contributions, voluntary contributions from development partners, and miscellaneous income.
Development partners cover approximately 67% of the budget, while member-states, including Nigeria, contribute the remaining balance based on the approved scale of assessment determined by the Executive Council.
