By Muhammad Mamman
Abuja — Nigeria has formally endorsed the African Union’s ongoing institutional reforms aimed at strengthening peace and security mechanisms across the continent, reaffirming its commitment to a more responsive and effective regional security architecture.
The Federal Government said the reforms are critical to addressing Africa’s evolving security challenges, including terrorism, political instability and cross-border crime, stressing that a restructured AU framework would enhance early warning systems, conflict prevention and coordinated responses among member states.
Speaking through senior officials at a recent high-level engagement, Nigeria emphasised that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without strong institutions, predictable funding and deeper cooperation among African countries. The government noted that the AU’s reform agenda — particularly within its Peace and Security Architecture — aligns with Nigeria’s long-standing advocacy for African-led solutions to African problems.
Authorities also highlighted the need for improved accountability and efficiency within AU structures, arguing that streamlined decision-making processes would enable faster interventions in crisis situations. Nigeria pledged continued technical and diplomatic support to ensure the reforms translate into tangible outcomes on the ground.
The AU’s institutional overhaul seeks to modernise its operations, clarify roles across its organs and secure sustainable financing for peace support initiatives. Analysts say Nigeria’s backing adds significant weight to the reform drive, given the country’s influential role in regional peacekeeping and mediation efforts.
With security pressures mounting across parts of the continent, Nigeria urged fellow member states to fully embrace the reform process, describing it as a pivotal step towards building a safer, more resilient Africa.
