President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is attending the mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union in Nairobi, Kenya as Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the Union.
Abiodun Oladunjoye, State House Information Director, in a statement on Saturday, said Nigeria had fully paid its contributions for 2023.
The statement quoted the Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, as confirming the payment.
This is on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi.
Lamuwa explained that the payment demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.
He praised President Tinubu for living up to expectations as Chairperson of ECOWAS.
And as President who emphasizes prompt payment of financial assessments.
During the Executive Council meeting, the Permanent Secretary shared Nigeria’s stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU.
He welcomed the consideration of the economic outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs, over the past three years in budget drafting process.
“Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication.
“‘Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfil their financial obligations,” the PS said.
He called for synergy and complementarity among AU organs and departments.
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The Envoy also requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
Lamuwa stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.
President Tinubu will attend the fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on Sunday in Nairobi.
The meeting will discuss on other significant matters affecting the continent.
Amb. Lamuwa also highlighted the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State’s participation.
He noted that this aligns well with President Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area domestically.
“This makes his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial”.
Nigeria is one of the major financial contributors to the African Union (AU), alongside four other member-states.
The AU’s 2023 budget of $654.8 million is primarily financed through annual statutory contributions and voluntary contributions from development partners.
Development partners play crucial role in supporting the AU’s budget, covering at least 67 per cent of the total amount.
Member-states, including Nigeria, contribute to the remaining balance of the budget based on the approved scale of assessment by the Executive Council.
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